About the project
This PhD project focuses on developing strategies to secure digital infrastructures against the imminent threats posed by quantum computers.
Quantum computing technology, leveraging Shor’s algorithm, is expected to dismantle existing public-key cryptography. This jeopardizes the security of modern digital infrastructures like banking, emails, and cryptocurrency. NIST has recently introduced the first group of post-quantum-cryptography (PQC) algorithms designed to counteract quantum attacks. However, transitioning millions of systems to these quantum-resistant algorithms requires a strategic and systematic approach. Your fundamental challenge will be to identify the most critical systems to transition first, anticipating how adversaries might exploit quantum technology.
In this project, you will conduct an in-depth threat analysis of quantum-computer attacks on cyber-physical systems, considering system configurations, data criticality, and attack likelihood.
You will develop a systematic method to identify at-risk system assets, creating a crypto inventory for analysis. Using techniques like Attack Trees, you will predict the stages of a quantum-computer attack and determine when the rest of the system might be compromised.
Your research aims to produce two significant outcomes:
- a quantum risk assessment tool to construct a cryptographic asset list, identify components needing post-quantum upgrades, and estimate associated risks
- a testbed network with diverse hardware and software capabilities, providing a realistic environment to evaluate the performance and security of post-quantum algorithms.
You will join the Cyber Security Research Group recognised as Academic Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) and Education (ACE-CSR), and work with Dr Basel Halak and Dr Erisa Karafili.
This project is funded by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS). They are recruiting candidates interested in digital, physical, and biological systems to create a diverse and interconnected training environment.
Besides training with a world-leading research group, a CISDnS membership will give you the skills and knowledge to handle real-world interdisciplinary challenges through a Systems Thinking approach.
You will learn about the wider challenges of research and innovation within the Defence & Security sector.
This PhD studentship is open only to UK applicants.
