Dr Indrakshi Dey is leading a new project to protect critical digital infrastructure from emerging quantum computing threats.
As cyberattacks on critical infrastructure increase in number and sophistication across Europe, a new project lead by South East Technological University’s (SETU) Walton Institute looks to address this urgent threat.
Led by Dr Indrakshi Dey, who is head of the Programmable Autonomous Systems division at the Walton Institute, Q-Fence is a €5.3m Horizon Europe project that aims to develop quantum-resistant cybersecurity for critical sectors.
Quantum computers, which are getting ever closer to full-scale deployment, could break current traditional computing encryption methods. As a result, the EU has mandated that all critical systems upgrade to quantum-resistant security standards by 2030.
Q-Fence brings together 12 research and industry partners across Europe to develop next-generation encryption that can protect sensitive data from future cyberattacks.
The aim is to create security tools that can withstand quantum threats and help organisations move from existing encryption systems to new, quantum-resistant ones.
“We are entering a phase where security means using the best of both traditional and quantum technologies,” said Dey.
“This project gives organisations a clear pathway to the quantum-safe future.”
The project team will work with industry, public bodies and regulators to test solutions in real-world setting. It is important that any solutions are affordable and do not disrupt important sectors such as hospitals, banks, government agencies and utilities, the team said.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Dey was announced as project coordinator for a €4m Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) project called Questing to train the next generation of quantum innovators in Europe.
Dey told SiliconRepublic.com that she has time for these major projects thanks to her “amazing” team.
“They bring in innovative ideas and solutions together with robust techniques of implementation daily,” she said.
“It is a busy yet an extremely effective team working on both applied and commercial projects.”
Both projects – Q-Fence and Questing – have their foundations in fundamental concepts of physics, maths and logic, Dey said.
“The quantum world, though not visible to the naked eye, sits inside our classical world, and can empower us with immense possibilities, if leveraged the right way,” she said.
“Q-Fence blends concepts from both classical mathematics and quantum mechanical properties to secure Europe’s digital backbone for decades to come; specially looking at an era when our passwords, personal data, social profile, bank accounts are being attacked and hacked regularly.
“Questing digs a bit deeper into the quantum world to explore how the immense power of that microscopic world can be used to solve problems of our classical macroscopic world.”
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
