1. Project led by researchers at the University of Toronto to explore cybersecurity defences for utilities under a quantum threat.
2. Quantum computing poses a new level of threat to cybersecurity for power utilities with its potential to break current data encryption techniques.
3. Goal of the project is to stay ahead of potential attackers by developing quantum-based technology solutions to defend power utilities against future cyberattacks.
Researchers at the University of Toronto are leading a project to explore cybersecurity defences for utilities under a quantum threat. Quantum computing provides new computational abilities for power utilities but also poses a new level of threat to cybersecurity due to its potential to break current encryption techniques. The timeline for this threat becoming possible is uncertain, but the goal is to stay ahead of attackers with advanced cybersecurity approaches.
Funded by a CA$1.45 million grant from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the project is a collaboration with Hydro-Québec and quantum startup Xanadu. The research aims to develop quantum-based technology solutions to defend power utilities against future cyberattacks by exploring quantum sensors in power grids and utilizing quantum machine learning for cyberattack detection.
A second team, led by Professor Atefeh Mashatan at Toronto Metropolitan University, is working on creating a blueprint for incorporating quantum-resistant cybersecurity into smart grids. This team will identify vulnerabilities in power system models, simulate potential attacks on the smart grid, and investigate the feasibility of quantum key distribution and quantum-safe digital signature technologies for enhanced security.
The implications of a quantum-enabled attack on the power sector could be catastrophic, leading to massive disruptions like blackouts. The research aims to provide low-overhead and quantum-safe integrity services for the energy sector to mitigate the risks of quantum threats and enhance overall cybersecurity resilience in smart grids.