Most cryptographic discovery tools today focus primarily on certificates and the transport layer, creating visibility gaps across the broader cryptographic estate. This limited scope overlooks cryptographic keys, algorithms, protocols, and libraries which are assets that are directly exposed when cryptographically relevant quantum computers break RSA and elliptic curve cryptography through Shor's algorithm. Without comprehensive discovery, organizations cannot identify what needs to be migrated or how urgently. This white paper examines why cryptographic asset discovery is the critical first step in post-quantum preparation. As organizations plan their transition to post-quantum cryptography, a complete inventory of cryptographic assets becomes foundational to identifying vulnerabilities, prioritizing migration risk, enabling regulatory compliance, and establishing continuous monitoring.
