CyberQ: Cyber Security in the Quantum Era conference shapes dialogue on industry challenges from Abu Dhabi

The CyberQ: Cyber Security in the Quantum Era conference, which was attended by more than 1,000 experts from 110 countries, has concluded successfully, affirming the UAE’s leadership in cybersecurity and commitment to building a secure and sustainable digital future.

Held over two days at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, the conference, which was organised by the UAE Cyber Security Council and Technology Innovation Institute (TII), addressed the growing digital challenges posed by rapid advancements in quantum computing.

The conference explored the significant impact of quantum computers on information security, emphasising the urgent need for new defensive strategies to counter emerging threats. The conference provided an ideal platform for experts, researchers, and policymakers to exchange vital knowledge and insights in this critical field.

Speakers offered valuable perspectives on safeguarding essential cyber systems against quantum threats. The speakers highlighted the importance of international cooperation, encouraging governments, companies and academia to establish unified security standards in response to escalating threats.

The conference also emphasised investing in quantum cyber security research and development to build strong defensive capabilities, with experts underscoring the need to train skilled professionals in quantum cybersecurity to meet rising market demands.

The conference featured multiple sessions with contributions from officials and experts, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops focused on quantum technologies and their threats to current cybersecurity standards. These sessions centred on implementing quantum-safe encryption solutions, with participation from experts from more than 110 countries with backgrounds in national security, providing a valuable opportunity for networking among industry leaders and policymakers. The conference showcased advanced, secure quantum technologies.

During the CyberQ conference, the UAE Cyber Security Council, in collaboration with the TII and QuantumGate forged a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening leadership in cybersecurity both regionally and globally.

This partnership aims to develop advanced cryptographic solutions capable of countering the growing threats posed by quantum computers to current digital systems.

The three partners aim to advance post-quantum cryptography technologies, providing a protective shield against the threat of quantum computers and their ability to break traditional encryption systems. This initiative comes in response to the increasing challenges facing the digital world in light of rapidly evolving technologies.

The partnership combines the technical expertise of TII, the research capabilities of QuantumGate, and the strategic vision of the UAE Cyber Security Council. The goal is to safeguard critical digital infrastructure in the UAE and the region from cyber threats and to elevate the UAE's global position as a hub for innovation in cybersecurity.

The agreement emphasises that post-quantum cryptography is the optimal solution for countering future threats posed by quantum computers to digital systems.

This partnership contributes to the development of innovative cybersecurity solutions, strengthening international cooperation in this crucial field, and protecting both institutional and individual data and intellectual property.

His Excellency Dr Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Cyber Security Council, highlighted the importance of this partnership in addressing the escalating threats to cyberspace. Dr Najwa Aaraj, the CEO of TII, emphasised the need to stay ahead of emerging threats, especially those posed by advances in quantum computing.

Reda Nidhakou, the Acting CEO of VentureOne, QuantumGate’s parent company, said, "We launched QuantumGate to keep enterprise data assets safe now and in the post-quantum era. This collaboration between us, the experts at TII, and the UAE Cyber Security Council will help us expand our reach, ensuring that organisations’ invaluable data assets stay safe and secure—both in the UAE and across the globe.”

The UAE Cyber Security Council also accomplished a new historic achievement in the Guinness World Records by successfully delivering the world’s largest lesson on quantum computing. The council gathered a large number of experts and people interested in this vital field, who provided a comprehensive explanation of the principles of quantum computing and its future applications.

The UAE Cyber Security Council also achieved a new historic milestone by registering a new Guinness World Record. The council brought together the largest number people from different nationalities in a single quantum computing lesson at an event held in Abu Dhabi.

These two achievements are a testament to the growing focus on advanced technology in the UAE and reflect the country’s leading position in cybersecurity and technological innovation.