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Stuttgart, GermanyJune 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DEKRA, a globally leading non-listed independent testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) professional organization, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), a global top-tier IT company, to jointly advance the implementation of quantum security assurance and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) services. This collaboration aims to help organizations confidently navigate the most critical cybersecurity transformation in the coming decades: a comprehensive transition to quantum-safe systems.
As practical quantum computers capable of breaking encryption gradually become a reality, the security foundation underpinning current digital infrastructure is under increasing pressure. Secure communications, digital identities, connected devices, financial transactions, critical infrastructure, and emerging artificial intelligence systems are all built on cryptographic foundations designed for the classical computing era. However, breakthroughs in quantum computing technology will pose a disruptive challenge to the widely used mainstream cryptographic algorithms. Unlike traditional computers, quantum computers may in the future be able to crack certain existing encryption mechanisms far more efficiently than classical computers, thereby weakening the security mechanisms that currently protect digital systems.
Against this backdrop, organizations urgently need to comprehensively assess their security exposure, conduct risk assessments, develop cryptographic migration plans, and demonstrate their resilience against future quantum attacks. Independent third-party evaluation services can help enterprises verify their quantum security readiness, solidify the foundation of digital trust, and establish credible endorsement within highly interconnected global supply chains.
From Readiness Assessment to Third-Party Independent Certification
Through this collaboration, IBM will contribute its expertise in cryptographic discovery, post-quantum migration, and crypto-agile architectures. DEKRA will provide independent testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services, enabling enterprises to verify and demonstrate their quantum readiness through trusted third-party certification. Together, the two parties will work to create a transparent and practical quantum security assurance framework, helping organizations move from the preparation phase to a state of independently verified quantum readiness.
Stan Zurkiewicz, CEO of DEKRA, stated: “The collaboration with IBM exemplifies our forward-looking partnerships dedicated to building trust in an increasingly connected and digitalized world. Cryptography is one of the invisible cornerstones of modern society. As we move into the post-quantum era, enterprises will need not only technical solutions but also confidence that their systems remain secure, resilient, and trustworthy. Independent assurance will play a crucial role in building that confidence.”
Fernando Hardasmal, Executive Vice President and President of Digital & Product Solutions at DEKRA, added: “Quantum readiness is no longer a distant research topic but a strategic business priority. By combining IBM’s expertise with DEKRA’s independent services, we offer enterprises a practical, end-to-end path to achieving quantum security.”
Shaping the Future of Quantum Security Assurance
Antti Ropponen, Executive Partner and Head of Cyber Defense & Quantum Security Transformation Services for IBM in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), explained: “Quantum computing has the potential to become a strategic cybersecurity risk with far-reaching implications across all industries. Although post-quantum cryptography standards are now available and quantum-safe capabilities are beginning to be integrated into key technologies and protocols, enterprises still need a practical way to assess readiness, optimize existing and new solutions, and clearly demonstrate progress. By combining IBM’s quantum security expertise with DEKRA’s global leadership in security and certification, we can help accelerate the adoption and deployment of trusted, independently verified quantum security practices across industries that underpin the modern economy.”
Beyond supporting individual enterprises, DEKRA and IBM also plan to contribute to the broader development of quantum security assurance by defining practical readiness standards, driving the development of assessment methodologies and assurance frameworks, and aligning them with emerging standards and best practices. This joint initiative aims to help stakeholders build a consensus on “what constitutes trusted post-quantum readiness” for enterprises, products, and increasingly connected digital ecosystems.