Quantum safe solutions for a secure society

Once quantum computers are mature enough to break existing security, they will become an important threat. When used by malicious parties, they may disrupt payment systems, energy supply, defence and intelligence systems, healthcare, private and public transport and business processes. These systems are of vital societal relevance. Therefore it is imperative that we safeguard these systems against attacks using quantum computers.

Quantum safe solutions are gradually becoming available, of which Quantum Key Distribution is a promising solution. Steering these developments should not be left to the technological discipline only. Given the enormous societal impact, security solutions need to be developed in close consultation with societal stakeholders to ensure that they match the societal requirements and the developed solutions will be trusted by all relevant stakeholders and society in general.

In this project, an interdisciplinary consortium will co-create a roadmap and co-design a fieldlab with societal stakeholders, in which knowledge, methods, and technology will be developed to evaluate and eventually work towards standards and certification methods for these new advanced quantum cryptographic systems. As such, relevant groups of external stakeholders will be identified and involved in the process, ensuring that these systems will be developed whilst taking into account stakeholder criteria and international standards. The fieldlab will therefore also perform functions of expertise center, dialogue platform, and will perform roadmapping and connect to international standardization.

The fieldlab will contribute to the safety and resilience of the Dutch society and at the same time strengthen the international competitiveness of the entire Dutch supply- and knowledge chain.