en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Quantum Software Lab at the University of Edinburgh has received £6.2 million in funding for a project titled "Network Security in a Quantum Future," aimed at addressing the growing cybersecurity threats posed by advancements in quantum computing to the UK's energy sector. The project will develop an open-source tool called the Quantum Threat Tracker, designed to estimate when existing energy systems may become vulnerable to quantum attacks, thereby shifting cybersecurity measures from reactive to proactive prevention.

Scottish Power Energy Networks and National Gas have joined the university in preparing for these emerging risks. Dr. Petros Wallden, Deputy Director of Research at the Quantum Software Lab, stated that the project will combine expertise in quantum computing, uncertainty quantification, and energy systems to provide evidence-based tools that support a secure and cost-effective transition to a post-quantum future.

While current computers would take millions of years to crack certain complex passwords, quantum computing is expected to drastically reduce this time, creating significant cybersecurity risks that require proactive mitigation measures. The project has moved beyond theoretical risk assessment into developing practical tools for energy companies. Complementing the Quantum Threat Tracker is a Quantum-Aware Risk Management tool, designed to support strategic planning for a wide range of energy assets as they adopt quantum-safe technologies and prioritize future protective measures.

These tools build on earlier research that has already identified specific vulnerabilities in energy infrastructure and determined preliminary mitigation strategies. Professor Chris Dent noted that beyond the importance of maintaining cybersecurity in energy systems in a post-quantum world, studying the consequences of uncertainty in technological forecasting is itself a challenging technical task, which he believes can be overcome together with other project partners.