Telefónica Tech is integrating IBM quantum safe technology into its cyber-security services to create use cases aimed at addressing new and future risks associated with the advancement of cryptographically relevant quantum computers.

The agreement includes deployment of IBM’s quantum-safe technology infrastructure at Telefónica’s headquarters in Madrid, Spain, to promote business development aimed at cyber resiliency and agility against vulnerabilities arising from the development of future cryptographically relevant quantum computers.

Telefónica Tech is the digital business unit of Spanish telecommunications group Telefónica.

The agreement aims to develop, deliver and address security problems posed by future cryptographically relevant quantum computers.

The advent of quantum computing will allow for more advanced calculations, but it also brings with it the critical challenge of ensuring data security in a future where traditional encryption algorithms could become vulnerable. Additionally, while a cryptographically relevant quantum computer is not yet available, data may already be vulnerable to harvesting by cyber criminals for future decryption.

IBM has developed quantum safe-focused enterprise software and research-driven assets for a holistic way to anticipated quantum risks. IBM Guardium Quantum Safe, part of the broader IBM Guardium data security centre, helps organisations gain visibility and manage cryptography to address vulnerabilities, guide prioritisation and remediation, and improve security posture. It also includes IBM Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager, which provides centralised, secured and scalable encryption key management.

Complementing these are IBM Quantum Safe Explorer and Quantum Safe Remediator, technology assets for discovering cryptographic vulnerabilities in code, testing quantum safe algorithm performance and establishing quantum safe proxies.

The two companies will work together to combine IBM’s quantum-safe technology with Telefónica’s experience in providing managed and professional cyber-security services to create methods that provide security to companies and public administrations against the new and future security risks of a post-quantum world.

The options being discussed will be designed to protect organisations’ critical data from the risk of being decrypted by quantum computers by implementing quantum-safe cryptography standards defined by the US National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). IBM has co-developed two of the three algorithms that have been published as post-quantum cryptography standards, contributing to data protection in the quantum era.

“Quantum computing offers incredible opportunities, but it could also pose a significant challenge in terms of cyber security,” said Raquel Ruiz Lozano, head of partnerships for Telefónica Tech. “This collaboration agreement with IBM allows us to continue to help address the potential risks of the post-quantum world, thanks to its IBM’s quantum safe technology, and to help our clients protect their critical data and face this transformation with security and confidence.”

Adolfo Hernández Pulido, technology managing director for Telefónica at IBM, added: “It is critical for organisations to begin evaluating their cryptography and planning a transition to quantum-safe standards. At IBM, we are proud not only to have had a hand in the development of new post-quantum cryptography algorithms, but also to be leading the way with new quantum-safe technologies and services. We are thrilled to sign this collaboration agreement with Telefónica Tech focused on quantum safe technology.”

The prospective integration of IBM’s quantum-safe technologies into Telefónica’s services is being engineered to enhance the proactive risk assessments capable of being carried out by Telefónica’s operations professionals with the aim of helping organisations identify and address cryptography vulnerabilities in their infrastructures.

Telefónica will help organisations in their transition to new cryptographic standards, protocols or algorithms to ensure resilience and agility against cyber-security risks posed by quantum computing, and the transition to new quantum-safe encryption technologies.

The agreement also contemplates the creation of a joint use case office, focused on areas such as communications encryption, adaptation to new secure algorithms and the protection of critical environments.

In this context, IBM’s infrastructure has already been deployed at Telefónica’s headquarters, in Distrito Telefónica, Madrid, to promote business development. This infrastructure is composed of elements designed to promote a secure and resilient environment against the threats of the post-quantum world.

These include an IBM LinuxOne system, which is secured with end-to-end encryption including quantum-safe cryptography; IBM storage technology; and other tools for protecting master and operational keys.

Telefónica Tech (telefonicatech.com) offers services and integrated technology for cyber security, cloud, IoT, big data, AI and blockchain.

IBM (www.ibm.com) provides hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence and consulting expertise to clients in more than 175 countries.