Ray Harishankar

Ray Harishankar is IBM Fellow for Quantum Safe and a defining global architect of the world’s transition to post-quantum security. At a pivotal moment when quantum computing threatens to upend the cryptographic foundations of the digital economy, Ray is leading the global strategy, standards, technology, and ecosystem mobilization required to secure that future at scale.
Ray has been instrumental in transforming post-quantum cryptography (PQC) from breakthrough research into globally adopted standards. But his impact extends far beyond standards. He drives enterprise-scale execution. He leads IBM’s quantum-safe technology and engineering initiatives, including IBM software products such as IBM Quantum Safe Explorer and Remediator—enterprise capabilities that enable organizations to discover cryptographic vulnerabilities, quantify systemic exposure, and automate migration to quantum-resistant encryption. Ray drives the development of pragmatic experience-based approaches and methodologies for enterprises to journey towards becoming Quantum Safe. Through this work, quantum security has evolved from a distant technical risk into a structured, board-level transformation program embedded in operational reality.
Recognizing that quantum risk is systemic, not isolated, Ray has mobilized industries to act collectively. He founded and launched three industry quantum-safe consortia: the Post Quantum Telco Network (PQTN) Task Force, the NACHA Payments Quantum Safe Work Group, and the Emerging Payments Association of Asia Quantum Safe Workgroup. These initiatives are accelerating coordinated migration across telecommunications and global payments infrastructures—sectors fundamental to economic stability. He also plays a leadership role in the Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance, the Post-Quantum Cryptographic Coalition, and the U.S. National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, driving interoperable, scalable, and standards-aligned adoption.
A trusted advisor to global financial institutions, telecommunications providers, governments, and regulators, Ray works directly with executive leaders and policymakers to deploy quantum-safe architectures in production environments and shape regulatory guidance for long-term resilience. He regularly addresses premier global forums including the World Economic Forum (SupTech), RSA Conference, The Economist, Singapore FinTech Festival, Global FinTech Fest, and the FDIC Data Summit—advocating that quantum innovation must be matched with proactive, inclusive security modernization.
Ray is co-author of Becoming Quantum Safe (2025), a practical roadmap guiding CISOs and CTOs through cryptographic transformation at scale. A Master Inventor with 28 patents, he has earned numerous distinctions including Asian American Engineer of the Year and Distinguished Alumnus of The Ohio State University College of Engineering.
Through standards leadership, enterprise deployment, cross-industry coordination, and regulatory engagement, Ray is ensuring that quantum advances deliver sustained, systemic impact—securing critical infrastructure, protecting long-lived data, and making the quantum future resilient, scalable, and beneficial for all.