Quantum Webinar Series
This Quantum Series guides participants from foundational quantum concepts through practical implementation of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and enterprise migration strategies. Each session builds progressively from theory to deployment, enabling organizations to understand, test, and adopt quantum-resistant technologies.
How Quantum Computing Will Break Today’s Encryption & What is PQC?
Modern digital security depends on cryptographic systems like RSA and elliptic curve cryptography, which rely on the computational difficulty of problems such as integer factorization and discrete logarithms. Quantum computers fundamentally change this equation. Algorithms like Shor’s algorithm could enable sufficiently powerful quantum machines to break these widely used encryption schemes, putting sensitive data, communications, and critical infrastructure at risk. Even before large-scale quantum computers exist, the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat is already driving urgency across governments and industries.
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is the response to this challenge. PQC refers to new cryptographic algorithms designed to be secure against both classical and quantum attacks, while remaining deployable on today’s systems. Standardization efforts led by organizations such as NIST and the IETF are shaping how these algorithms are adopted in real-world protocols. In particular, hybrid approaches—such as hybrid TLS that combine classical encryption with PQC algorithms—are emerging as a practical transition strategy, enabling organizations to deploy quantum-resistant protections without sacrificing compatibility.
Speaker: Nalini Elkins is a Trustee of the Industry Network Technology Council. She is also the CTO and co-founder of Outside the Stacks, Inc. Nalini is a recognized leader in the field of computer performance measurement and analysis. In addition to being an experienced software product designer, developer, and planner, she is a formidable businesswoman. She has been the founder or co-founder of three start-ups in the high-tech arena. Nalini started her career doing network design and monitoring for the Chevron network. She specializes in network performance analysis, measurement, monitoring, tuning, and troubleshooting of large enterprise networks. One of her specialties is training and network design for IPv6 migration for large enterprise.
Quantum 101: QKD, Entanglement, Sensors, and the Need for Standards
At the heart of quantum technology are principles that challenge classical intuition, including superposition and entanglement. Quantum key distribution (QKD) leverages these properties to enable theoretically secure communication, where any attempt at eavesdropping can be detected. Entanglement—the phenomenon in which particles remain correlated across distance—underpins not only QKD but also future quantum networks and distributed computing architectures.
Beyond communication, quantum sensing is emerging as one of the most mature and transformative applications. Quantum sensors have the potential to redefine navigation by reducing or even eliminating reliance on GPS, enabling precise positioning in environments where satellite signals are unavailable or unreliable. Looking further ahead, quantum technologies could support entirely new infrastructure paradigms, including the possibility of data centers in space, where quantum communication links and ultra-secure networks operate beyond terrestrial constraints.
As these capabilities evolve, the need for interoperability, security, and performance standards becomes critical, requiring coordination across industries and international bodies to ensure scalable and trusted quantum ecosystems.
Dr. Bruno Avritzer is the quantum theory lead at Leidos and the vice-chair of the QED-C Standards and Performance Metrics technical advisory committee, and specializes in the theory of quantum communications and networked quantum devices, ranging from secure quantum communications to distributed quantum computing.