S24 Ep5: Quantum Computing: The promise and the threat

Steve is in conversation with quantum computing expert Konstantinos Karagiannis. Konstantinos is the Director of Quantum Computing Services at Protiviti, where he helps companies prepare for quantum opportunities and threats. He talks to Steve about how this nascent technology is already a security concern and what security leaders can do now to prevent problems down the road. He also offers ideas for overcoming the skills shortages that both the security and quantum computing fields face.

If you’re interested in discovering more about the technological implications of automation, machine learning and quantum computing, download the ISF’s Threat Horizon 2025: Scenarios for an uncertain future report, available to members on ISF Live. Not a member? Get in touch with your regional director today at https://www.securityforum.org/contact/.

Research:

Threat Horizon 2025: Scenarios for an uncertain future - full report (ISFLIve)


Key Takeaways:
1. It’s a big year for compliance. Per NIST, companies are asked to start their plans for migration in 2024.
2. Konstantinos sees a need for quantum programs at the university level.
3. Where quantum is today is just a glimpse of where it’s going.


Tune in to hear more about:
1. The future is now! (4:38)
2. What can be done at the university level to resource the industry (7:45)
3. Quantum computing speeds as an advantage (12:17)


Standout Quotes:

1. “It'll be time for companies, starting in 2024, to start their plans for migration. In the US, the White House has already telegraphed what's going to be expected of federal agencies. They published the NSM-10 memo, which states that once the finalists are out, you have to have a plan for migration, the timeline for deprecation of ciphers, all these steps are going to kick in.” -Konstantinos Karagiannis

2. “I don't see any university have that set for a quantum program. Like, you can't just go, come out, and like, we know that we can hire you to like, implement algorithms. There's no such thing. And I'd like to see that kind of preparation, so within a few years, we've got a whole crew of folks ready to at least implement algorithms. They might not be able to create a brand new one, but there's only a few dozen of them in the world anyway.” -Konstantinos Karagiannis

3. “Quantum works well on simulations. You could simulate up to like, 50 qubits, let's say, and you can make sure your algorithm works right. And you could torture test it. And then when you're ready to actually run it, that's when you pay for what we call shots, which is just runs on a quantum computer. So yeah, you might work on this, tweak it all month, and then you spend $1,000, let's say, and you do your runs, and you're good. You're done.” -Konstantinos Karagiannis


Mentioned in this episode:

• Threat Horizon 2025: Scenarios for an uncertain future – executive summary
• ISF Analyst Insight Podcast
• Chicago Quantum Exchange
• Recent work on Quantum Portfolio Optimization

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