Post-Quantum Cryptography in the Indo-Pacific Program (PQCIP)

Summary

The Post-Quantum Computing in the Indo-Pacific Program (PQCIP) is an educational capacity-building initiative that will engage with industry and government stakeholders to improve their post-quantum preparedness through a cycle of assessment, tailored education, planning and evaluation.

Details

Aims

The PQCIP will train cybersecurity and information technology participants from organisations in 11 partner countries with the aim of building regional resilience against the threats posed by quantum technology through material developed and implemented by post-quantum specialists at Monash University and the Oceania Cyber Security Centre (OCSC).

The program will assist them to understand and develop the capability to deploy NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography standards, and help them protect against emerging quantum computing threats.

Context

Post-quantum cryptography involves mathematical techniques for ensuring that information stays private, or is authentic, and resists attacks by both quantum and non-quantum (i.e. classical) computers. The leading application for post-quantum cryptography is securing online communications against attacks using quantum computers.

Data breaches are unfortunately inevitable. Encryption is the key control to preserve the confidentiality of information even when it falls into the wrong hands. However, current cryptography is under threat from emerging quantum computing which will rapidly break encryption and reveal previously protected confidential and highly sensitive information.

Outcomes

Engaging with both industry and government representatives, PQCIP will:

• help stakeholders identify their existing post-quantum computing vulnerabilities
• equip them with the necessary skills to secure their digital systems and information into the future