In an era where digital security concerns are escalating, particularly for businesses, governments, and individuals, the field of cybersecurity has become a daily preoccupation. Fortunately, recent strides in quantum physics may soon provide a greater sense of security for everyone, thanks to the development of quantum cybersecurity.
Our increasingly digitized world constantly reminds us of our vulnerability, emphasizing the need to find safe and effective means of defending our data and privacy. Addressing this challenge is a Montreal-based company that, over the past five years, has been pioneering solutions in quantum cybersecurity based on the research of Professor Bertrand Reulet, a global expert in quantum noise at the University of Sherbrooke’s physics department.
Sherbrooke was designated Quebec’s first innovation zone last year, specializing in quantum sciences, showcasing the expertise developed by the University in this cutting-edge field.
“At the heart of cybersecurity is encryption. It’s a practice that dates back to ancient times. Humans encoded their messages to prevent them from being read by a third party. Today, it has become highly sophisticated, requiring random numbers that do not follow a pattern. However, even algorithms generated by computers can be cracked by a quantum computer,” explains Francis Bellido, CEO of Quantum eMotion.
With four patented technologies in the United States, Quantum eMotion has developed a quantum random number generator capable of encrypting computer data opaquely and at extremely high speed.
“While we are currently at 2 gigabits per second, we can increase the power up to 100 gigabits per second,” anticipates the president of the young company, which employs about ten individuals, including doctoral and postdoctoral students from the University of Sherbrooke.
The quantum random number generator currently takes the form of a USB key inserted into a computer, but it could eventually become a chip. Quantum eMotion aims to market it as a cloud-based service to avoid significant manufacturing costs.
Bellido, holding a Ph.D. in medical microbiology from the University of Geneva and an MBA from UQAM, has a background in financing innovative startups. He has become one of the most significant investors in Quantum eMotion and raised US$7 million to bring its quantum random number generator to market.
“We are targeting the telemedicine market, which will be increasingly used to relieve hospitals and allow chronic patients to receive treatment at home. Our solution will be used to protect the data of these patients,” says Bellido.
His company has partnered with the Montreal-based company Grey-Box, which developed a digital platform for medical therapies, and is in talks with German partners to implement its quantum random number generator in Europe. Strong cybersecurity is vital due to rising data breaches targeting patient records. Digital Therapeutics is pivotal in the booming telemedicine market, projected to reach $191.9 billion by 2026, driven by COVID-19’s virtual healthcare adoption, remote patient monitoring, home healthcare demand, and technological advancements. Quantum eMotion has the vision to become a world leader in healthcare cybersecurity.
While this new technology will eventually extend to all sectors of the digital world and benefit ordinary citizens, it is currently developing in a low-hanging market.
“We have chosen telemedicine and also cryptocurrency protection. We have partnered with ETS to develop a robust crypto wallet to protect digital currencies,” explains the CEO.
“Cryptocurrency holders keep it on their computers and expose themselves to hacking. Last year, over $4 billion in cryptocurrencies were stolen,” he notes.
Additionally, the blockchain technology used in cryptocurrencies forces operators to constantly encrypt and mine, as per crypto jargon. However, the use of quantum-generated random numbers could reduce energy consumption by 99.5 per cent, according to Bellido.
In conclusion, Quantum eMotion’s innovative quantum random number generator holds promise in addressing the escalating cybersecurity concerns in an era of increasing digitization. As it targets markets such as telemedicine, the potential applications of this technology are broad, offering a glimpse into a more secure digital future. There is no doubt this new technology will eventually extend to all sectors of the digital world and benefit ordinary citizens.
