One way Booz Allen is helping the U.S. win the quantum race is through our advanced work in quantum software. We’ve teamed up with SEEQC, a quantum computing company, to solve the core engineering challenges that currently plague existing quantum computing efforts. These challenges include detecting and addressing computational errors, preserving energy, and scaling devices with speed.

Our collaboration with SEEQC will integrate Booz Allen’s quantum software into SEEQC's software stack—an integration intended to accelerate the development of the first large-scale quantum computer. “Booz Allen is the best in quantum in terms of software,” says John Levy, CEO and Co-Founder of SEEQC.

“We do a lot to build for scale,” says Dr. Jordan Kenyon, a senior quantum scientist at Booz Allen. “But we’re also working alongside customers on the fundamentals: helping them build hardware in the lab, developing new software to coordinate quantum and classical computing components, and writing the novel algorithms we need to advance economic and national security in a quantum-enabled world. And we’re not doing it alone.” 

The irony is that every step of progress in the field of quantum computing brings us that much closer to the significant cybersecurity challenge the technology will pose. Today, our society depends on cryptographic algorithms to secure private conversations, prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data, and protect digital infrastructure. These cryptographic algorithms use math problems that are practically impossible for even the world’s best supercomputers to figure out. Quantum computers, however, will have the power to crack many of these previously unbreakable algorithms.   

“If an adversary develops a quantum computer robust enough to run Shor’s algorithm at scale before the United States, they will gain an extraordinary advantage,” Jordan says. “They will have the ability to break the cryptography most are relying on to secure sensitive information today.”

While the advent of large-scale quantum computers is still down the road, the threat of quantum-enabled cyberattacks is a problem today. America’s adversaries are already intercepting encrypted data, storing it, and waiting to decrypt it later when quantum computers mature. This is known as “harvest now, decrypt later.” Organizations must act today to secure their digital infrastructure. 

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is a powerful defense that uses new math to protect against the quantum-enabled attackers of the future. PQC goes beyond just switching to new algorithms; networks and systems must be carefully audited to find potential vulnerabilities. Early prototyping is needed to test updated hardware and software to ensure they work without degrading performance or interoperability at the risk of operational imperatives.

Booz Allen is working on the frontlines of PQC. We’ve helped federal agencies and Fortune 100 companies audit their computing infrastructure, map their attack surface, build prototypes, and more. Now is the time for agencies and enterprises to start the transition to PQC. Acting early will make it easier to avoid added infrastructure costs. It’s also important to integrate PQC transition plans with other cyber modernization efforts to prevent vendor lock-in with solutions that are not designed for a world of quantum-enabled threats.

The race to realize the full potential of quantum computing is a race America cannot afford to lose. Booz Allen has invested in the technology and expertise needed to capitalize on this technology’s revolutionary potential, and we will continue to work with federal agencies to bring quantum to our most vital national missions.