Crypto Agility: Why flexibility in encryption today determines the security of tomorrow
While the world awaits the standardization of post-quantum-resistant cryptography, attackers are already collecting encrypted data to decrypt it later. This “store-now-decrypt-later” strategy is no longer a theory, but a real danger - especially for data with long-term protection requirements, such as personal information, financial data or trade secrets.
However, many companies are still at the beginning: their own crypto landscape has grown over the years, spread across systems, applications and cloud services - often without complete transparency. The good news: if you act now, you can create long-term security with manageable effort.
Crypto Agility - what is it actually?
Crypto agility describes the ability to flexibly identify, replace and update cryptographic procedures as soon as threats or new standards make this necessary. In practice, this means
- The organization knows where which encryption is in use
- New procedures (e.g. hybrid TLS with post-quantum-resistant algorithms) can be introduced without changing the code
- Obsolete procedures can be replaced or blocked (centrally if possible)
Crypto agility is not just a strategic issue - it is becoming an operational must for every organization that processes sensitive data. Gartner also recommends taking concrete measures now to prepare for quantum-safe cryptography - because the transition can take years and, according to forecasts, asymmetric procedures could be compromised by quantum computers as early as 2029.
eperi's contribution: More than just encryption
For years, eperi has been offering its sEcure solution, a proven tool for data-centric encryption of sensitive content, regardless of the application or infrastructure used. But sEcure can do even more:
- It decouples cryptographic processes from applications - making an algorithm change a configuration problem instead of a development problem
- It can be centrally managed and monitored - ideal for dynamic crypto policies
- It can act as a proxy for TLS connections - allowing new procedures such as hybrid TLS handshakes to be tested and introduced
These capabilities make the eperi Gateway a key component for Crypto Agility in practice.
No agility without crypto inventory
An often underestimated first step: knowing your own crypto landscape.
Many companies do not know which algorithms, key lengths and certificates are active in which systems - let alone who manages them.
A crypto inventory, i.e., a complete list of all cryptographically relevant components in the company, is a prerequisite for crypto agility and any migration project toward quantum-resistant procedures (PQC). And this is exactly where eperi can help with its central proxy architecture: By analyzing and logging the connections that pass through it, eperi sEcure can become a source of valuable crypto telemetry.
Store-now-decrypt-later: The invisible threat
Attackers no longer need to decrypt live - they simply store sensitive, encrypted communication and wait for future technological breakthroughs. This is particularly dangerous for:
- Companies in regulated industries (banks, healthcare)
- Organizations with long-term confidentiality obligations (e.g. law firms, authorities)
- Provider of cloud services with storage responsibility
Only those who introduce hybrid or PQC procedures at an early stage can ensure that today's data will remain confidential tomorrow.
Conclusion: Lay the foundation now
Crypto agility is not a technology of the future—it is a race against time. With existing solutions such as eperi sEcure, enhanced with inventory functions and support for hybrid procedures, organizations can take reliable precautions today instead of reacting frantically tomorrow.
The right time to act? Now is the time.
Did you like this article?
Then like it now or share it with colleagues, business partners, and friends.
Knowledge that protects - your next measure for more data security
On our download page, you will find free white papers and fact sheets on data protection, data encryption, and compliance—specifically for IT managers and decision-makers.
Get concise knowledge, strategic recommendations, and practical tips to effectively protect your data and securely comply with regulatory requirements such as GDPR, NIS2, and DORA.
