Our future society looks likely to use quantum technologies to enhance our computing, communication, and sensing capabilities. However, such enhancements come with caveats, in the form of new security threats. How can we prepare society for the age of quantum technologies? And how can we protect and secure our sensitive data in the face of the quantum future? Sharon Dolmans believes that the key to integrating quantum technologies in society is an interdisciplinary approach to ensure that solutions are useful as well as accepted and trusted.
The phrase 'quantum technology' evokes different reactions from people depending on who you talk to. Those in the field may view it as cool technology, while those outside the field and those among the general public may express concerns about what the quantum future might bring.
Quantum technology is an exciting field full of possibilities, but there are a lot of unknowns too, which is what makes it so interesting and challenging.
For Sharon Dolmans, assistant professor at the department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences at TU/e, the phrase quantum technology means something else. "It's an exciting field full of possibilities, but there are a lot of unknowns too, which is what makes it so interesting and challenging. Many quantum technology experts are still in the dark as to where it will be used. So, the general public and scientific experts partially agree on this."
This potential societal impact is also what makes the field of quantum technology so fascinating to Dolmans, who has a background in business and finance, and a PhD in technology commercialization. "I like working at the intersection of those developing the technology and those in society who'll end up using the technology. It's a technology with lots of potential, but we're still some way from using it our everyday lives."
Quantum technology users
But what is quantum technology? Well, quantum technology can be placed in three categories. First, there is the use of quantum computing for super-complex computations. Second is quantum communication for ultra-secure communications. And the third category relates to quantum sensing, which involves sensors that can detect the tiniest of fluctuations, and would be useful in navigation and in the detection of anomalies under the ground that might be associated with earthquakes.
With such varied applications, it means that the first regular users of quantum technologies in society will also be quite varied. "The first users are of course scientists and researchers, they are the ones developing the technologies and thereafter applying them in various fields such as materials science, chemical engineering, and numerical simulations."
Down the line though, there is a plethora of societal actors (such as large corporations, small businesses, and civilians) who will be implementing and managing quantum infrastructure in the future, as Dolmans explains. "All sorts of sectors will turn to quantum technology in the future such as healthcare and pharma, the energy sector, logistics and automotive, the financial sector, and defense. And civilians and society at large will be users too."
'Must have' versus 'nice to have'
Quantum technology will have lots of potential applications, but Dolmans is quick to highlight that these applications could be categorized as either 'must have' or 'nice to have'. "From the 'nice to have' perspective, quantum technology will enhance a range of industries, while also leading to the establishment of new types of industry. It's a step into the unknown, an exciting unknown. Quantum tech might not be used in washing machines, but it'll help to solve difficult numerical problems that our current computers might take eons to solve. Quantum computers will add to our current systems, rather than replacing them."
But it's the 'must have' applications that Dolmans has high on the agenda, and for good reason, as these applications can affect the lives of everyone in society. "The arrival of the quantum computer will pose a threat to society's safety and security. Suddenly, we'll have computers that are powerful enough to easily hack today's information systems - the same information systems that we use to communicate sensitive information in healthcare, the energy sector, the financial sector, and the defense sector. In these sectors, we don't have the luxury to wait and see what happens. Here, technology experts and societal actors need to take joint action now to avoid massive security breaches in the future."
The arrival of the quantum computer will pose a threat to society's safety and security.
For example, some malicious parties adopt an approach known as 'store now, decrypt later'. In other words, these parties store private, encrypted data that they have intercepted between communicating parties. These parties don't have the encryption keys to read the data. Instead, they'll decrypt this data using a quantum computer once it becomes available. "With this potential threat to our private data, it is urgent that we can take action now," notes Dolmans.
Another 'nice to have' is the development of solutions for and with organizations in society. "This would make them more useful and effective as the solutions would not be developed in isolation, but based on the needs of potential end-users."
