Quantum computers will have hacking capacities that exceed existing supercomputers. When used by malicious parties, this will become an important threat that 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 quantum attacks.
Quantum cryptography techniques are gradually becoming available, of which Quantum Key Distribution will be the first for practical application. 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 in order to ensure that 1) they match their requirements, and 2) that the developed solutions will be trusted by all relevant stakeholders.
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. In parallel, 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 and dialogue platform, and will continue roadmapping efforts while connecting to international standardization.
The chosen effectuation of the fieldlab will contribute to the resilience of the Dutch society and at the same time strengthen the international competitiveness of the entire Dutch supply- and knowledge chain.
