PQC vs. QKD: What Matters Now and What Can Wait

Quantum threats may feel distant, but your migration shouldn’t be. In this episode of Shielded: The Last Line of Cyber Defense, host Jo Lintzen talks with Will Collison, Interim Global Head of Cryptography at HSBC. Will explains why enterprises must start now and measure as they go, how to separate PQC, QKD, and quantum computing, and why cryptographic agility is the real objective. Expect practical guidance on executive buy-in, vendor dependencies, critical-system prioritization, and the cost logic that makes an early start the only rational choice. YouTube Chapters: [00:00] Intro [00:36] Meet Will Collison: HSBC and Two Decades in Cryptography [02:00] Start Now, Measure as You Go: Why Early Action Matters [03:31] Lessons from SSL to PQC: How Past Migrations Inform Today [05:55] Inside HSBC: A Global Cryptography Team and Its Mandate [08:00] Q-Day vs. R-Day: Why Waiting for Regulators Is a Mistake [10:44] Securing Executive Buy-In and Educating Stakeholders [14:12] Quantum Confusion: Separating PQC, QKD, and Quantum Computing [16:25] Identity at Risk: Why Quantum Threatens Public Keys, Not AES [18:50] Building Cryptographic Agility: Preparing for the Next Algorithm Shift [22:00] Internal vs. External Dependencies: The Supply Chain Challenge [23:35] Prioritizing Revenue-Critical and Internet-Facing Systems [26:10] Legacy ≠ Optional: Why Critical Old Systems Must Be Addressed [27:15] The Cost Logic: Good, Cheap, Fast - Pick Two [29:44] Talent for the Future: Training the Next Generation of Cryptographers [32:52] Regulation and Peer Pressure: Avoiding Public Censure [33:54] Industry Collaboration: Why Banks Can’t Go It Alone [34:36] Final Advice: Start Now Before It Gets Harder Want exclusive insights on quantum migration? Stay ahead of the curve. Subscribe to Shielded: The Last Line of Cyber Defense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Podcasts. ✔ Get insider knowledge from leading cybersecurity experts. ✔ Learn practical steps to future-proof your organization. ✔ Stay updated on regulatory changes and industry trends.