By David Badanes, Director of Cyber Programs and Partnerships, AES
This October brings Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort between the United States Government and the National Cybersecurity Alliance to raise cybersecurity awareness nationally and internationally. Started in 2004, this partnership has strived to help individuals and organizations protect themselves from the increasing threat of digital attacks. This year’s theme is “See Yourself in Cyber”, with the stated goal to focus on the ‘people’ part of cybersecurity.
Similarly, October is also the European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM) launched in 2012 by the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and supported by EU member states and civil society. Their 2022 campaign is called “Think Before U Click”, focusing on Phishing and Ransomware.
This focus on people-centricity aligns well with the work of the Charter of Trust. Founded in 2018 at the Munich Security Conference, the Charter of Trust is a unique initiative of leading global companies and organizations working together to make the digital world of tomorrow safer. The Charter’s member companies achieve this work by creating global standards that can be used to protect the data of individuals and companies and to prevent damage to people, companies, and critical infrastructure.
While the technology and infrastructure may change, it’s our perspective that the human element of cybersecurity was and is the most important. That’s why it’s embedded throughout our ten principles, including establishing clear ownership for cybersecurity, designing user-centric systems, and providing education and awareness. We are perhaps most encouraged by our Associated Partners, including the Cyber Readiness Institute that is providing free, online training to small and medium sized businesses to help their IT teams secure their infrastructure against common cyber vulnerabilities and train their employees about cyberattacks.
Throughout the month, we will highlight our partners work and top tips on cybersecurity –both at home and at work. We look forward to contributing to the robust conversation on how we can break through the noise to make a measurable impact in cyber awareness.
Stay tuned to this space and our Twitter account @charteroftrust for more. In the meantime, if you have ideas for our Charter or how to help create a culture of cybersecurity, feel free to drop us a line.
Stay Safe,
David,
Director of Cyber Programs and Partnerships, AES
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Decrypting the Future: Global Timelines for PostQuantum Cryptography and why they matter
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Post-Quantum Cryptography
Decrypting the Future: Global Timelines for PostQuantum Cryptography and why they matter
The transition to post-quantum cryptography is not a future problem — it is a present one. The threat of adversaries harvesting encrypted data today for decryption once quantum computing matures means that organizations with long-lived data and systems are already exposed. Waiting for cryptographically relevant quantum computers to arrive before acting is not a viable risk management strategy.
Exposure is not uniform across sectors. Financial services, government and defense, operational technology, and healthcare face the sharpest quantum risk, driven by decades-long data retention obligations, slow system replacement cycles, and the societal consequences of cryptographic failure. For these sectors, PQC readiness has moved from best practice to strategic imperative.
Globally, the direction of travel is clear. The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia have each established structured PQC transition frameworks, with mandatory deadlines converging around the late 2020s and 2030. Organizations operating across jurisdictions should expect compounding compliance requirements and align migration plans accordingly.
At the same time, the geopolitical dimension of PQC standardization is becoming increasingly salient. The emergence of a “splinternet” infrastructure, characterized by regionally fragmented digital ecosystems, suggests that cryptographic standards diverge along political and strategic lines. As a result, organizations must not only manage technical migration but also navigate a politically charged landscape in which interoperability, regulatory alignment, and long-term cryptographic agility become critical strategic considerations.
This paper offers a comparative overview of regional PQC transition frameworks and identifies the business and systemic risks associated with quantum-vulnerable cryptography, providing insights for organizations preparing for the transition to post-quantum cryptography. Overall, PQC migration is a strategic transformation, not a technical patch. Cryptographic inventory, governance structures, crypto-agility, and supply chain engagement are as central to success as algorithm selection — and organizations that treat PQC readiness as an architectural and organizational challenge will be best positioned as quantum risks continue to mature.
Exposure is not uniform across sectors. Financial services, government and defense, operational technology, and healthcare face the sharpest quantum risk, driven by decades-long data retention obligations, slow system replacement cycles, and the societal consequences of cryptographic failure. For these sectors, PQC readiness has moved from best practice to strategic imperative.
Globally, the direction of travel is clear. The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia have each established structured PQC transition frameworks, with mandatory deadlines converging around the late 2020s and 2030. Organizations operating across jurisdictions should expect compounding compliance requirements and align migration plans accordingly.
At the same time, the geopolitical dimension of PQC standardization is becoming increasingly salient. The emergence of a “splinternet” infrastructure, characterized by regionally fragmented digital ecosystems, suggests that cryptographic standards diverge along political and strategic lines. As a result, organizations must not only manage technical migration but also navigate a politically charged landscape in which interoperability, regulatory alignment, and long-term cryptographic agility become critical strategic considerations.
This paper offers a comparative overview of regional PQC transition frameworks and identifies the business and systemic risks associated with quantum-vulnerable cryptography, providing insights for organizations preparing for the transition to post-quantum cryptography. Overall, PQC migration is a strategic transformation, not a technical patch. Cryptographic inventory, governance structures, crypto-agility, and supply chain engagement are as central to success as algorithm selection — and organizations that treat PQC readiness as an architectural and organizational challenge will be best positioned as quantum risks continue to mature.
Read more
April 07, 2026
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Post-Quantum Cryptography
A Quantum Leap for Cybersecurity: The Charter of Trust’s PQC Ambition
The Charter of Trust is taking decisive steps to secure our digital future in the quantum era. As quantum computing advances, the risks to today’s cryptographic systems grow ever more urgent. Our dedicated working group is leading the way in raising awareness, promoting standards-based migration, and fostering collaboration across industries, governments, and academia. Together, we are committed to a proactive, well-coordinated, and risk-driven transition to post-quantum cryptography—ensuring digital trust and resilience for generations to come. Discover our vision and join us as we shape a secure digital world for the quantum age.
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November 03, 2026
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Artificial Intelligence
Read the Charter's contribution to the European Commission's public consultation on the Digital Omnibus Package
The rapid expansion of EU digital regulation has strengthened security, privacy, and trust, but it has also created overlapping obligations, inconsistent timelines, and administrative complexity. The Digital Omnibus Package provides a timely opportunity to streamline these rules, ensure greater coherence, and enable businesses to focus resources on resilience and innovation rather than redundant compliance tasks.
The Charter of Trust welcomes the Commission’s initiative to harmonize digital regulations across the EU, aiming to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining high standards of security and privacy. Representing the unified views of its Partners, this paper addresses all key legislation within the scope of the Digital Omnibus and offers comprehensive recommendations. It emphasizes the need for a unified incident reporting system, risk-based notification requirements, and fair compliance processes to minimize regulatory overlap. The Charter calls for clearer liability clauses, global recognition of certifications, and stronger supply chain security.
In data regulation, the Charter advocates ensuring alignment between the rules on data intermediation services under the DGA and B2B data sharing under the Data Act and extending exemptions to mid-cap companies, all while safeguarding trade secrets. For artificial intelligence, the paper recommends a phased approach to new requirements, integrated conformity assessments, harmonized compliance templates, and clear definitions, supported by sector-specific guidance and transparent AI categorization. The Charter also encourages the European Commission to ensure that ePrivacy reform is future-proof, fosters innovation, and reflects the needs of both businesses and consumers. Finally, it recommends robust security standards and cross-border recognition for the EU Business Wallet, with industry involvement in technical standards and integration with data access systems.
Collectively, these measures are designed to foster innovation, resilience, and trust in the EU’s digital landscape, allowing businesses to thrive in a coherent and future-ready regulatory environment.
The Charter of Trust welcomes the Commission’s initiative to harmonize digital regulations across the EU, aiming to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining high standards of security and privacy. Representing the unified views of its Partners, this paper addresses all key legislation within the scope of the Digital Omnibus and offers comprehensive recommendations. It emphasizes the need for a unified incident reporting system, risk-based notification requirements, and fair compliance processes to minimize regulatory overlap. The Charter calls for clearer liability clauses, global recognition of certifications, and stronger supply chain security.
In data regulation, the Charter advocates ensuring alignment between the rules on data intermediation services under the DGA and B2B data sharing under the Data Act and extending exemptions to mid-cap companies, all while safeguarding trade secrets. For artificial intelligence, the paper recommends a phased approach to new requirements, integrated conformity assessments, harmonized compliance templates, and clear definitions, supported by sector-specific guidance and transparent AI categorization. The Charter also encourages the European Commission to ensure that ePrivacy reform is future-proof, fosters innovation, and reflects the needs of both businesses and consumers. Finally, it recommends robust security standards and cross-border recognition for the EU Business Wallet, with industry involvement in technical standards and integration with data access systems.
Collectively, these measures are designed to foster innovation, resilience, and trust in the EU’s digital landscape, allowing businesses to thrive in a coherent and future-ready regulatory environment.
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October 14, 2025
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