While quantum computers will bring immense computing capability that cannot be achieved with any feasible amount of regular computing power, they also break some of the mostly widely used cryptographic algorithms that we depend on to protect our digital systems.

For the advent of a quantum computer to be a positive milestone in human history, we must first fix these fundamental building blocks of cyber security. In addition to fixing legacy systems and protocols, we must also design quantum-resilience into new systems and paradigms like blockchains. I will provide an update on the quantum “threat” and on approaches for mitigating the risks. I will explain how this challenge is actually a great opportunity to make our digital infrastructures more secure and resilient than they otherwise would be.

Bio: Michele Mosca MOSCA is co-founder of the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, a Professor in the Department of Combinatorics & Optimization of the Faculty of Mathematics, and a founding member of Waterloo's Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He was the founding Director of CryptoWorks21, a training program in quantum-safe cryptography. He is a founder of the ETSI-IQC workshop series in Quantum-Safe Cryptography, and the not-for-profit Quantum-Safe Canada. He co-founded evolutionQ Inc. to support organizations as they evolve their quantum-vulnerable systems to quantum-safe ones and softwareQ Inc. to provide quantum software tools and services.

He obtained his doctorate in Mathematics in 1999 from Oxford on the topic of Quantum Computer Algorithms, an MSc in Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science in 1996 from Oxford, and a BMath in Combinatorics & Optimization and Pure Mathematics in 1995 from Waterloo.  His research interests include quantum computation and cryptographic tools designed to be safe against quantum technologies.  He is globally recognized for his drive to help academia, industry and government prepare our cyber systems to be safe in an era with quantum computers.

Dr. Mosca’s awards and honours include Fellow of the Institute for Combinatorics and its Applications (since 2000), 2010 Canada's Top 40 Under 40, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013), SJU Fr. Norm Choate Lifetime Achievement Award (2017), and a Knighthood (Cavaliere) in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2018).