Quantum and the cloud: Science fiction turned security strategy

**Executive summary:** This article explains quantum computing basics, outlines how future quantum capabilities could weaken current cryptographic algorithms (e.g., RSA, ECC) and enable 'harvest now, decrypt later' threats, and recommends proactive steps—asset inventory, data classification, migration to NIST post-quantum algorithms, and governance—to build post-quantum resilience across cloud, enterprise, and regulated sectors.