Research Areas
Fundamental tools and applications
Quantum mechanics enables fundamental new cryptographic rules previously impossible in classical cryptography. For example, the rules of quantum mechanics dictate that a quantum system cannot be observed without being disrupted. This means that the very nature of quantum mechanics can be used to protect quantum communications.
- Discovering and developing assumptions that would allow for computationally secure quantum-safe primitives
- Quantum algorithms for the computational problems underlying proposed “post-quantum” cryptography
- “Unconditionally” or “information theoretically” secure “classical” tools that remain secure against quantum adversaries
- Fundamentally new cryptographic primitives not possible in a classical paradigm that are enabled by quantum technologies
Gilles BrassardINTRIQ, Montréal
Anne BroadbentOttawa
Andrew ChildsQuICS, Maryland
Claude CrépeauINTRIQ, McGill
Ian GoldbergCACR, Waterloo
Daniel GottesmanPerimeter Institute
David JaoCACR, Waterloo
Stephen JordanQuICS, NIST
Debbie LeungIQC, Waterloo
Yi-Kai LiuQuICS, NIST
Norbert LütkenhausIQC, Waterloo
Alfred MenezesCACR, Waterloo
Michele MoscaIQC, Waterloo
Renato RennerETH Zurich
Rei Safavi-NainiISPIA, Calgary
Louis SalvailINTRIQ, Montréal
Douglas StinsonCACR, Waterloo
William WhyteSecurity Innovation
Hugh WilliamsCalgary
Implementation of tools
Developing and applying quantum technology is an important step in creating cryptographic tools for the future. Large-scale deployment of quantum cryptography devices and other quantum technologies will require collaboration between mathematicians, physicists and engineers.
- Achieving global distances for quantum cryptography
- Improving the performance of quantum cryptography technologies
- Faster processing of photon signals, developing new error correcting codes to improve key rates, etc.
- Developing secure physical implementations of quantum devices, and developing objective methods for certifying they meet appropriate standards
- Efficient implementation of “post-quantum” classical cryptography
Chip ElliottRaytheon BBN Technologies
Guang GongCACR, Waterloo
Thomas JenneweinIQC, Waterloo
Norbert LütkenhausIQC, Waterloo
Alfred MenezesCACR, Waterloo
Michele MoscaIQC, Waterloo
Barry SandersIQIS, Calgary
Christoph SimonIQIS, Calgary
Hugh WilliamsCalgary
Deploying and integrating quantum-safe systems
By gaining a deeper understanding of how quantum cryptography and conventional cryptography interact and combine, systems resistant to quantum technologies can be developed and integrated into a larger cryptographic tools. This knowledge will allow us to recognize how to develop secure larger systems, such as global multi-user quantum networks.
- Proof methods for guaranteeing security of systems using new quantum-safe tools
- Developing a deeper understanding of how the security guarantees of QKD interact with the provable security guarantees of conventional cryptography, and what practical assurances are offered when these pieces are combined
- Achieving global quantum communication networks with multi-user connectivity
- New tools and protocols to optimize network performance without compromising security
Reza AzarderakhshFAU
Ian GoldbergCACR, Waterloo
Thomas JenneweinIQC, Waterloo
Debbie LeungIQC, Waterloo
Norbert LütkenhausIQC, Waterloo
Alfred MenezesCACR, Waterloo
Renato RennerETH Zurich
Louis SalvailINTRIQ, Montréal
Barry SandersIQIS, Calgary
Christoph SimonIQIS, Calgary
Douglas StebilaUniv of Waterloo
Alain TappINTRIQ, Montréal