Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that has a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations of performing a packet analysis of protocol data unit (PDU) headers of inbound Internet and non-Internet traffic; determining whether the PDU headers identify the presence of a quantum payload and/or via deep packet inspection; detecting a presence of attack vectors in the quantum payload responsive to a determination that the PDU headers identify the presence of the quantum payload, wherein the attack vectors originate from a quantum computer, and wherein the attack vectors are cryptanalytically relevant; generating an alert responsive to detecting the presence of the attack vectors; and isolating compromised network elements, sets of elements, and/or other network components and/or subsystems, and route traffic around the compromised network elements, sets of elements, and/or other network components and/or subsystems. Other embodiments are disclosed.