As the dawn of quantum computing rapidly approaches, its impact on the digital security infrastructure that underpins modern society becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.

Encryption systems that have reliably safeguarded sensitive data for decades may soon be rendered obsolete by quantum-powered algorithms.

For financial institutions, the consequences could be catastrophic. In anticipation of this paradigm shift, researcher Michael Gbadebo has introduced a groundbreaking cryptographic framework that fuses classical encryption with next-generation quantum resistance.

This model can potentially reshape how institutions around the world approach information governance.

Gbadebo’s recently published study in the Asian Journal of Research in Computer Science offers a compelling solution to one of cybersecurity’s most urgent challenges.

His proposal is deceptively simple – rather than replacing the ubiquitous Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which continues to perform reliably for symmetric encryption tasks, institutions should pair it with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) to strengthen cryptographic processes against quantum-era threats.

In doing so, he offers a hybrid encryption framework that balances efficiency with security, acknowledging legacy systems while looking firmly toward the future.

The model he presents is grounded in both empirical data and strategic foresight. At its core is a Cryptographic Agility Framework designed to help financial institutions select and transition between encryption standards as technology and threat landscapes evolve.

Gbadebo employs Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate leading PQC algorithms based on four critical metrics: encryption speed, computational efficiency, key size overhead, and adaptability.

The result is a dynamic scoring system that ranks cryptographic options based on performance and practicality.

Among the algorithms tested, CRYSTALS-Kyber achieved the highest agility score (8.35), making it the most viable candidate for financial institutions seeking a balance between speed and post-quantum resilience.

However, Gbadebo’s work does not stop at theoretical modeling. He takes an applied approach by integrating PQC into blockchain networks using Hyperledger Fabric—a leading enterprise-grade distributed ledger technology.

In a series of performance simulations, his model demonstrated a 25 per cent reduction in transaction finality time when introducing PQC-based key exchange mechanisms.

This evidence shows that quantum-resilient encryption is not only achievable but also beneficial to the speed and reliability of blockchain transactions, an essential consideration as decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital currencies continue to expand in global adoption.

Another critical contribution of Gbadebo’s study is its economic risk modeling. Using Vector Autoregression (VAR), he simulates the macroeconomic impact of a large-scale quantum-enabled security breach in the financial sector.

The projected consequences are staggering – a 3.2 per cent drop in GDP, cybercrime losses exceeding $150 billion, and an 8.7 per cent decline in capital market indices.

Additionally, the institutional trust and operational resilience that underpin financial systems could be permanently impaired.

These scenarios illustrate that the cost of inaction is not just technological but deeply economic and systemic.

This proactive framework also arrives at a crucial moment. For broader adoption, leading standards bodies such as the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have already finalised several PQC algorithms, including CRYSTALS-Kyber and Dilithium.

Globally, regulatory bodies and financial institutions have begun pilot programs to test and deploy quantum-safe infrastructure.

Gbadebo’s research complements these developments by offering technical validation of these algorithms and a structured methodology for integrating them within legacy systems.

This challenge has stymied many organizations due to compatibility, cost, and operational complexity.

What sets Gbadebo’s approach apart is its practical orientation. Rather than waiting for a future crisis to catalyze reform, he emphasised crypto-agility and preemptive transition strategies.

His research encourages financial institutions to move beyond static security models and adopt encryption protocols that are modular, upgradeable, and responsive to new threats.

This approach is essential for institutions operating in high-frequency trading, digital banking, and international remittance domains where milliseconds and data integrity are equally vital.

Ultimately, Gbadebo’s hybrid encryption model represents more than a technical innovation; it is a reimagining of what secure information governance should look like in the 21st century.

It acknowledges current systems’ limitations, anticipates emerging technologies’ disruptive potential, and offers a roadmap for sustainable, scalable security.

In an era where trust in digital systems is becoming synonymous with trust in institutions, the importance of such work cannot be overstated.

Gbadebo’s contribution bridges the gap between cryptographic theory and operational security, offering stakeholders in finance, governance, and policy a practical guide to navigate the challenges of the quantum age.

His model reminds us that the future of information governance does not rest on abandoning the old—but on integrating it wisely with the new, one layer at a time.