Research Directions in Quantum Computer Cybersecurity

TL;DR

This paper summarizes recent research directions in quantum computer cybersecurity, highlighting current threats, defenses, trends, and gaps to guide future academic, industry, and government efforts.

Contribution

It provides a high-level overview of the last five years of quantum cybersecurity research, focusing on emerging threats and defense strategies without being a comprehensive survey.

Findings

Identifies key research trends in quantum cybersecurity

Highlights gaps and future research needs

Summarizes recent academic and industry efforts

Abstract

This document presents a concise overview of the contemporary research directions in quantum computer cybersecurity. The aim of this document is not to be a survey, but rather a succinct summary of the major research directions in quantum computer cybersecurity at the end of the first half of the current decade. The document has been inspired by the presentations and discussions held at the 3$^{rd}$ Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Symposium, but goes beyond the contents of the symposium and aims to summarize at the high level the last five years of quantum computer cybersecurity work in academia. It is hoped that the document can provide researchers as well as government and industry leaders an overview of the current landscape of security threats and defenses against emergent quantum computing technologies. The document also includes a discussion of the current trends in cybersecurity research on quantum computers, and the perceived research gaps that should be filled with future funding and through academic and industry~research.