METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

The PAREK lifecycle

Five connected stages transform post-quantum risk from an abstract concern into an operational programme. The final stage loops to inventory because assets, standards, threats and dependencies keep changing.

P01
Inventory

Post-Quantum Asset & Algorithm Inventory

Discover and classify cryptographic assets, data and dependencies.

OUTPUT
Verified crypto inventory
QSI DIMENSIONS
Inventory · Governance
A02
Assess

Assessment of Quantum Risk

Evaluate exposure, data lifetime, criticality and migration urgency.

OUTPUT
Prioritised risk register
QSI DIMENSIONS
Exposure · Inventory
R03
Roadmap

Road-mapping & Readiness Planning

Define owners, dependencies, resources and migration milestones.

OUTPUT
Approved transition plan
QSI DIMENSIONS
Agility · Migration
E04
Execute

Execution & Migration

Implement, test, transition and verify rollback readiness.

OUTPUT
Verified migration evidence
QSI DIMENSIONS
Migration · Validation
K05
Govern

Key Governance & Continuous Improvement

Govern keys, policy, suppliers, monitoring and reassessment.

OUTPUT
Continuous assurance loop
QSI DIMENSIONS
Governance · Validation

Lifecycle, meet measurement.

PAREK defines the transition lifecycle; QSI measures maturity and assurance across it. Secondary mappings provide context, but only a question’s primary stage contributes to its PAREK stage score.