GAO - U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2024.

Cryptography is a set of mathematical processes that can "lock," "unlock," or authenticate information. Agencies, banks, utilities, and others rely on cryptography—e.g., data encryption algorithms—to secure systems and data. Experts predict that a quantum computer capable of breaking such cryptography may exist within 10-20 years. Various US federal entities have developed documents that inform a national strategy for addressing this threat. But the strategy lacks details and nobody's in charge of implementing it.

Rantala, J. and Giardini, M., Quantum Flagship Coordination and Support Action (QUCATS), 2024.

This IP guideline targets those who, in the quantum technology domain, need to build sustainable IPR (intellectual property rights) management and valorisation strategies to support their business activities. There are many references throughout the guideline to European Council recommendations on the matter of IPR utilization and if special focus on quantum technology related topics is needed, those are considered as well. It should be noted that in terms of IPR technicalities, quantum technologies do not differ from other forms of deep technology innovation. However, there are indeed types of IPR that have more significance than others e.g., computer implemented inventions in patent domain (Chapter 2.2), copyright (or –left1) on software domain and ever-increasing intellectual asset domain of data. For the most part, this document focusses on the challenges of IPR exploitation and what best practices could be adopted to get best impact and/or Return on Investment (ROI).

OECD Working Party on Digital Security, in: Key concepts and current technical trends in cryptography for policy makers, OECD Digital Economy Papers No. 364, 2024.

Mature quantum information technologies will have disruptive potential in many areas. A key issue is that, at least in theory, a mature quantum computer could easily break some encryption methods that are widely used today. However, recent progress in quantum computing research is stimulating cryptographic research and innovation, particularly the development of algorithms that could resist attacks powered by a quantum computer. Furthermore, research on quantum technologies creates opportunities for new cryptographic approaches based on the laws of quantum physics (“quantum cryptography” and “quantum key distribution”) rather than mathematics. This section introduces quantum information technologies, discusses how they challenge current cryptosystems, introduces approaches to address these challenges (“quantum resistant cryptography”), and explores the opportunities that quantum computing raises for cryptography.

Vermaas, P. and Mans, U., UNESCO, 2024.

This paper explores the global impact of quantum technologies and charts the relevant discussions around the human rights, legal, ethical, and social aspects of quantum technologies. Quantum stands for a set of emergent technologies that are growing into a commercial industry. Given its potentially disruptive nature, quantum deserves our full attention. This is emphasized by the proposal for the proclamation by the United Nations of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. It aims to raise awareness about the significance of quantum science and technology and its potential to revolutionize various fields, including computing, communication, sensing, and simulation. It would provide a platform for showcasing the latest advancements and breakthroughs in quantum research and applications, as well as promoting education and public engagement in quantum-related topics.

Lewis, J. A. and Wood, G., Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2023.

Quantum physics is the “study of matter and energy at the most fundamental level.” Quantum technologies exploit the properties identified by quantum physics to provide new capabilities in computing, communications, and sensing. While quantum phenomena have been studied for decades, important technologies based on those phenomena have only appeared relatively recently. Some of these technologies will offer significant advantages for business and national security. Others will create new risks for encryption and stealth. This makes quantum an important topic for policymaking and an important area for cooperation between the United States and its allies. This paper, written to introduce a general audience to the topic, looks at key quantum technologies, timelines for deployment, and national policies for quantum innovation.

EN-CENELEC Focus Group on Quantum Technologies, (FGQT Q04), March 2023.

Currently, a multitude of standardization activities in quantum technologies are ongoing worldwide. While there is overlap in certain areas, other areas of this wide technological field are not being addressed at all. A coordinated approach will be highly beneficial to unleash the full potential of standardization for speeding up progress—also because the pool of standardization experts available for quantum technologies is still very limited. Furthermore, not all areas are yet “ready for standardization”, i.e., while in some fields early standardization is capable of boosting progress, it may be a problem in other areas. Thus, an assessment of standardization readiness of the different areas is required, too.