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Jaya Baloo gives the Special Keynote at it-sa 2022. In the interview we ask the Avast CISO about her topic: "Our Secure Quantum Future".
Jaya Baloo is a well known expert in quantum computing and cryptography since many years. She serves as chief information security officer (CISO) for the Czech security software vendor Avast and conducts research on quantum cryptography. She is also vice-chair on the central steering committee Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) of the EU's Quantum Flagship initiative, as well as on the Advisory Board of the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre and various other boards. Baloo will deliver this year's keynote for it-sa. Beforehand, we had the opportunity to talk to her about the impact of quantum technology on IT security.
The Special Keynote will be held by Jaya Baloo live at it-sa on 27 October in International Forum B. Her presentation will be broadcasted live and available after the fair.
What will you talk about in your keynote?
It is about the progress of quantum cryptography and the current state of research, but also about its influence on society. If we want to use the positive features of quantum computing, we have to know the risks and dangers. IT security has developed rapidly in recent years, but even in the security community, too few people know about it.
What positive and what negative effects do you expect from quantum computers?
We will have completely new possibilities, for example science will be able to answer completely different questions. Think of weather forecasts, for example. But it is a so-called dual use technology, which means that this technology can also be used in other ways, for example for cybercrime. It could even be used as a strategic weapon. I am interested in how we can prevent that and that is what I will talk about in my presentation.
What is special about quantum cryptography compared to conventional computer cryptography?
The idea behind this is to develop procedures for resisting an attack, even if it is carried out with a quantum computer. This is often referred to as post quantum cryptography.
Is quantum cryptography still more of a theoretical debate whose implications lie in a distant future, or should we care about it today?
In recent years, there has been great progress in this field of research, which will have an impact on society. You can compare it to artificial intelligence. A decade or two ago, hardly anyone knew what AI was. Today, this technology is used in many areas of daily life. It will be similar with quantum computing. We need to understand this to be able to better deal with it and to be able to distinguish the positive use from the negative use. Only this can give us security in handling this technology.
When do you expect real quantum computers and operational quantum cryptography?
Quantum cryptography standards are more or less in a final state. Quantum computers are not here, yet, but we can expect them in a decade. 'The race is on'. So we should prepare now and also understand the threat scenarios so that we are not surprised by them one day.
Interview: Uwe Sievers
