A primer for campus technology leaders argues that quantum cryptography merits immediate planning: while quantum computers remain years from breaking today’s encryption at scale, data created now could be vulnerable later. The article urges universities to inventory sensitive records, adopt quantum‑resistant key management, and begin pilot projects for post‑quantum encryption. Higher‑education IT leaders are advised to coordinate across research computing, medical centers, and registrars because long‑lived sensitive data — research IP, student records, and health data — faces the highest risk. The piece positions quantum cryptography as a decades‑spanning risk‑management issue rather than a distant academic curiosity. Implementation will require procurement changes, staff upskilling, and cross‑institution governance to prioritize which systems need migration first. Research universities with classified or export‑controlled work face immediate compliance implications. Campus CIOs and general counsels will need to align on timelines, budget forecasts, and collaboration with federal research sponsors as the sector stages a multi‑year transition toward quantum‑resilient cryptography.