Bain & Company and IBM Consulting partner to protect digital assets in quantum computing era

Global consultancies Bain & Company and IBM Consulting have announced a new partnership aimed at helping their clients address the growing risks associated with post-quantum cryptography.

To set the context, post-quantum cryptography risks refer to the security threats organizations face as quantum computing advances. Quantum computing represents the next era of computing – potentially far more powerful than today’s traditional machines.

According to research from Bain & Company, quantum computing is approaching a breakthrough moment, and once it reaches maturity it could fundamentally reshape the boundaries of technology. “Quantum computing could unlock as much as $250 billion of market value across industries such as pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics, and materials science,” the firm stated in its 2025 research report.

Quantum computing has the potential to drive major advances across enterprise, technology, and science, while helping tackle some of society’s most complex challenges.

However, the technology also carries significant risks – which is precisely the focus of the new partnership between Bain & Company and IBM Consulting.

The rise of quantum computing threatens current encryption standards that protect companies’ sensitive data, proprietary knowledge, and intellectual property. In simple terms, sufficiently powerful quantum computers could break many of today’s widely used cybersecurity methods, potentially exposing vast amounts of digital information if the technology were misused.

“Quantum computing is moving from theory to reality. It also brings a hard deadline: many of today’s encryption standards won’t hold forever,” said Chuck Whitten, Global Head of Digital Practices and Capabilities at Bain & Company.

Post-quantum cryptography

The solution lies in post-quantum cryptography – new forms of encryption designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers. “Companies that start upgrading to post-quantum cryptography now will protect customers, protect value, and stay ahead of the risk,” said Whitten.

By combining their capabilities in cybersecurity and technology transformation, Bain & Company and IBM Consulting have launched a joint offering aimed at helping organizations safeguard their digital assets in a future quantum-enabled world.

“The offering helps our clients identify cryptography risks early and take action,” said Whitten. “This enables organizations to implement critical mitigation measures and integrate post-quantum cryptography into both their strategic and operational plans.”

For investors, the strategy consulting firm will incorporate post-quantum risk assessments into its pre-deal due diligence approach and post-deal value creation planning. “Post-quantum readiness should be treated like any other critical technology risk in a deal,” Whitten noted.

IBM and its consulting arm

Bain & Company’s decision to partner with IBM Consulting is not entirely surprising. In its own research, the firm has highlighted IBM as one of the global frontrunners in quantum computing, citing the decades of innovation the technology giant has invested in developing multiple generations of quantum-related technologies.

While IBM focuses primarily on advancing the underlying hardware and computing platforms, its consulting arm works with organizations to translate those technological advances into the business environment.

Andy Baldwin, Senior Vice President of Offerings and Growth at IBM Consulting, said: “The move toward quantum-ready security is becoming a near-term priority for every organization that relies on cryptography to operate. Our collaboration with Bain & Company provides clients with a clear quantum-safe roadmap – from identifying vulnerable assets and prioritizing remediation to executing a transition strategy – helping reduce risk ahead of the post-quantum era.”