Quantum-Safe Critical Infrastructure Protection
Advancing quantum-resilient cryptography to protect critical infrastructure systems.
Project Overview
Updated January 21, 2025.
The Problem
As quantum computing matures, many critical infrastructure (CI) systems worldwide are at risk. These systems include internet infrastructure, electricity grids, water management, energy production and distribution, financial, healthcare and transportation systems.
CI systems use conventional cryptography to keep them secure—a process where information is coded so it can only be read by the person for which it is intended. Quantum computing however will break current operational public key cryptography. This means methods that have been used to secure information systems for decades may soon become obsolete, making CI systems vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Governments and other organizations around the world are increasingly aware of this growing risk. In Canada, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) has warned that Industrial Control Systems (ICS) for CI are high-value targets because attacks on them can cause life-threatening and economically devastating effects.
How We Are Solving It
Led by Quantum Bridge in collaboration with Metropolitan Technologies, Thales and the University of Toronto; this project will seek to advance and commercialize a trusted, unique, made-in-Canada hardware and software cryptography solution that is built to withstand the threat of quantum computing. The technology, referred to as Distributed Symmetric Key Establishment (DSKE), will secure CI systems widely used in Canada and elsewhere from existing cyber vulnerabilities and future cyber attacks that leverage quantum computing.
In a small but representative electric utility deployment, the consortium will show how the solution meets key user requirements, such as cybersecurity and feasibility. The initial focus will be ICS for an electric utility operator. The secure by design and default solution’s zero trust architecture will provide quantum-safe communication security from one end of the ICS network to the other. For example, from an electric utility’s control centre computers to the electrical system control and monitoring devices operating in substations.
From there, the consortium will build out the solution for progressive deployment by other ICS operators across many CI segments. DSKE is further being designed to be robust to failure, and available despite failure. It will also aim to have the ability to be integrated into ICS with minimal disruption.
The ultimate benefits of the solution are manifold. Most importantly, it will showcase Canadian ingenuity and help ensure the privacy and security of Canadians in a quantum-enabled world.
