In order to protect against risks from quantum computers, researchers are looking for individuals from the 11 Indo-Pacific areas who are interested in cyber security and information technology (IT).
The Post-Quantum Cryptography in the Indo-Pacific Program (PQCIP) seeks to collaborate with organizations and authorities in the following areas during the following three years:
Malaysia, Indonesia.
Samoa, Tonga.
Vanuatu.
Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Kiribati.
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
Tuvalu,
Cook Islands and Nauru.
One of the most important defences against data intrusions, according to project director Associate Professor Ron Steinfeld of Monash University's Faculty of Information Technology, is encryption.
However, the majority of the encryption in use today is not resistant to attacks from large-scale quantum computers, which can quickly decipher the majority of today's encrypted data. We anticipate that such machines will become a reality in the upcoming years.
"In recent months, data leaks and cyberattacks have increased significantly. It is imperative that we assist our neighbours in building up their defences against current cyberthreats and getting ready for the upcoming round of assaults. Steinfeld, an associate professor, stated.
Through the PQCIP, cybersecurity professionals from Monash and OCSC will walk participating businesses and government agencies through a cycle of comprehensive post-quantum cybersecurity capability assessments, specialised education, planning, and cyber threat evaluation.
The programme aims to equip participants with an advanced understanding of post-quantum cryptography, thorough knowledge of related tools, and the ability to create their own transition plan to protect their organisations from quantum computing threats, according to OCSC Head of Research and Capacity Building Dr. James Boorman.
"The training will be tailored to meet local needs, be accessible online for further reading after the course, and be free for anyone managing or working in IT or cybersecurity within most government entities or organisations in any of the 11 countries (excluding military, intelligence, or law-enforcement),"
"We're interested in hearing from anyone who wants to develop these capabilities. Stronger ties and better data protection throughout the area will arise from cooperatively standardising and upgrading cybersecurity inside these nations. said Dr. Boorman.
The new PQCIP is financed by the US Department of State, and all of its elements will be provided without charge to those who have been designated as participants.