Ottawa Expands Quantum Security Research as Future Computers Threaten Current Encryption
Updated
Updated · Dig Watch Updates · Jun 19
Ottawa Expands Quantum Security Research as Future Computers Threaten Current Encryption
1 articles · Updated · Dig Watch Updates · Jun 19
Summary
University of Ottawa researchers are advancing quantum communications and cryptography to build security systems that can withstand future quantum-enabled attacks.
Quantum computing could solve some complex problems far faster than conventional machines, opening potential gains in drug discovery, clean energy, materials science and space exploration.
That same computing power could eventually break widely used encryption protecting digital communications and online services, driving investment in quantum-safe cryptography.
Ottawa’s concentration of cryptographic expertise has made the city an important Canadian hub in a broader global push to prepare for the quantum era’s opportunities and risks.
Hackers are stealing encrypted data now. As quantum computers near, how can we protect today's secrets from tomorrow's threats?
With billions invested in quantum-safe tech, is this future threat distracting us from more urgent, existing cybersecurity dangers?
Canada’s Quantum Security Revolution: Ottawa’s $5 Trillion Investment and the Urgent Shift to Post-Quantum Cryptography
Overview
In 2026, Ottawa made a bold move by embedding quantum security into Canada’s broader national strategy, recognizing that ongoing investment in quantum technologies is essential for advancing research and keeping Canada at the forefront of global innovation. This commitment is part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, with initial investments supporting a pledge to increase defence spending from 2 percent to 5 percent of GDP by 2035, aligning with NATO partners. By prioritizing quantum security, Canada aims to strengthen national security, foster a robust domestic quantum ecosystem, and ensure real-world benefits for Canadians in an increasingly complex technological landscape.