Bain & Company and IBM Collaborate on Post-Quantum Cryptography Assessment

Partnership aims to help private equity and corporate clients mitigate risks from quantum computing advances

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:15pm

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Bain & Company announced a strategic collaboration with IBM to deliver expertise to private equity and corporate clients on post-quantum cryptography risks and mitigation strategies. The partnership combines IBM Consulting's quantum-safe transformation services with Bain's market-leading due diligence capabilities to provide clients with a comprehensive assessment of their resilience in the emerging post-quantum computing era.

Why it matters

As quantum computing technology advances rapidly, it poses a growing risk to current encryption standards that protect sensitive data, proprietary expertise, and intellectual property. This collaboration aims to help clients identify vulnerabilities and take proactive steps to integrate post-quantum cryptography (PQC) into their strategic and operational plans, mitigating substantial business and investment risks.

The details

The partnership will enable clients to assess their readiness for the post-quantum era and take necessary mitigation measures. Bain's research found that while corporate leaders see PQC as an urgent necessity, few have a clear strategy in place to address the complex requirements. The collaboration will also explore priority use-cases in areas like metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, and materials science where PQC solutions can be particularly beneficial.

  • The strategic collaboration was announced on March 13, 2026.

The players

Bain & Company

A global consulting firm that helps clients define the future and achieve extraordinary results.

IBM

A multinational technology and consulting company that provides a wide range of hardware, software, and services to clients.

Chuck Whitten

The global head of Bain's digital practices and capabilities.

Andy Baldwin

The Senior Vice President of Offerings and Growth for IBM Consulting.

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What they’re saying

“Quantum computing is moving from theory to reality. It also brings a hard deadline: many of today's encryption standards won't hold forever. Companies that start upgrading now will protect customers, protect value, and stay ahead of the risk.”

— Chuck Whitten, Global head of Bain's digital practices and capabilities

“The move towards quantum‑ready security is becoming a near‑term priority for every organization that relies on cryptography to operate. Our collaboration with Bain provides clients with a clear quantum-safe roadmap, from identifying vulnerable assets to prioritizing remediation and executing a transition strategy, to help reduce risk ahead of the post-quantum era.”

— Andy Baldwin, Senior Vice President of Offerings and Growth for IBM Consulting

What’s next

Bain and IBM expect to collaborate extensively on priority use-cases in the post-quantum environment in areas such as metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, and materials science.

The takeaway

This collaboration highlights the growing importance of post-quantum cryptography as quantum computing advances, and the need for companies to proactively assess and mitigate the risks to their sensitive data, intellectual property, and overall business operations.