CEPS Task Force

Strengthening the EU transition to a Quantum Safe World

Technology, market, governance, and policy challenges

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On 7 June 2024, the United Nations announced that 2025 would be recognised as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). In this context, CEPS is launching a Task force on Strengthening The EU Transition To A Quantum Safe World, to bring attention to the market, technical, ethical and governance challenges posed by the transition to a quantum-safe world in the EU.

The Task Force will focus on EU policy but will also look at developments in other parts of the world. It will be composed of academics, industry players from various sectors, policymakers and civil society, and it will address questions such as:

  • What is the current status of the transition to a quantum-safe world in the EU?
  • How is the work on the EU Coordinated Implementation Roadmap for the Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography progressing?
  • Is the EU running behind in this process? Why? What are the roadblocks holding it back?
  • Should the EU choose an explicit cut-off date for the migration to quantum?
  • Should the EU align with the US’ timeline or should we find a uniquely European way to tackle the migration?
  • How do we implement and govern the migration to quantum-resistant cryptography?
  • What type of migration model should be promoted?
  • Should some sectors be prioritised over others in the transition?
  • How inclusive is this process with the private sector and other relevant bodies (such as Europol, NATO, academia, civil society or others) to avoid the duplication of efforts and to ensure a cohesive approach to addressing emerging challenges?
  • How will Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) coexist and potentially complement (or conflict with) each other?
  • As the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography is complex and challenging, how could public and private organisations start assessing quantum vulnerabilities and develop a plan for transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptography?
  • How can we promote enhanced quantum awareness among leaders from both the public and private sectors?

The task force will not only address industrial policy issues related to the transition to quantum-safe in the EU but will also offer practical solutions to jumpstart the transition to quantum-safe in the EU. These could include an inventory of PQC  and QKD solutions available on the market, and a process of deepening in specific sectors such as the financial sector, public administration, energy or defence.

Finally, the Task Force will suggest policy measures to facilitate the transition to a quantum-safe world in the EU.

TIMELINE

The Task Force is expected to begin in April 2025 and will continue through to November 2025.

This Task Force will meet five times at approximately one-month intervals. It will be structured along the following lines:

  • First Meeting, April 2025
  • Second Meeting, May 2025
  • Third meeting: June 2025
  • Fourth meeting: September 2025
  • Fifth meeting: October 2025
  • November 2025: Presentation of the Final Report

The Task Force aims to involve a significant number of stakeholders, including industry players (internet companies, software companies, security companies, energy, telecoms, banking/insurance, healthcare, manufacturing etc.), academics and experts (see below for a preliminary list), the European Commission and other European institutions and agencies.

MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD

  • Sofie Lindskov Hansen, Chief Quantum Expert at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Michele Mosca, Full Professor in the C&O Department of the Faculty of Mathematics, Waterloo University, Canada.
  • Michael Osborne, CTO for IBM Quantum Safe at the IBM Research Division, based at the Zürich Research Center.
  • Bart Preneel, Full professor (‘gewoon hoogleraar’) at KU Leuven.
  • Tim Watson, Programme Director for Defense and Security at the Alan Turing Institute and the Director of the WMG Cyber Security Centre at the University of Warwick.

TASK FORCE LEAD

  • Task Force Leader: Lorenzo Pupillo, Associate Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) and Head of the Cybersecurity@CEPS Initiative.
  • Rapporteurs: 
    • Andrea G. Rodríguez, Associate Research Fellow in the GRID Unit at CEPS.
    • Afonso Ferreira, Director of Research for the French CNRS at the Toulouse Institute for Computer Sciences (IRIT).
    • Carolina Polito, Associate Research Assistant in the GRID Unit at CEPS.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER?

For more information about the objectives and functioning of the Task Force, please refer to the prospectus below. To express your interest, kindly complete the registration form and email it to lorenzo.pupillo@ceps.eu.

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact lorenzo.pupillo@ceps.eu directly.

Carolina Polito

Associate Research Assistant

Andrea G. Rodríguez

Associate Research Fellow