Title:
Becoming Quantum Safe
Abstract:
With its unprecedented processing power, quantum computing promises to revolutionize
numerous fields, including medicine, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. Yet this
same power can also be used by malicious actors to undermine the cryptographic
foundations that secure our digital world. Even before quantum computers can break
current encryption, adversaries can harvest sensitive data now and decrypt it later, putting
data with long confidentiality lifespans at immediate risk. This session explores the path
toward quantum safe security through practical and standards-based approaches. It
introduces the post quantum cryptography (PQC) standard and presents a real-world case
study demonstrating its successful implementation to protect sensitive data. The session also
highlights solutions that help organizations manage their transition to quantum safety,
including the discovery and inventory of cryptographic assets, comprehensive risk
assessment, and the execution of effective remediation strategies.
Bio:
Dr. Walid Rjaibi is a Distinguished Engineer and Global Architect for Quantum Safe at IBM. A
global leader in modern and post-quantum security, he has shaped the design and strategy
of some of the industry’s most critical data protection technologies. Throughout his IBM
career, Walid has served in pivotal roles including CTO, Research Staff Member, Chief
Architect, and Senior Development Manager, leading major innovations such as DB2
Transparent Database Encryption, Fine-Grained Access Control, and Network Trusted
Contexts. He holds 30 patents and is co-author of Becoming Quantum Safe (Wiley). Walid also
advises industry and government leaders on crypto-agility and serves as an Adjunct
Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, in addition to sitting on multiple university
advisory boards.