Research Directions in Quantum Computer Cybersecurity

TL;DR

The paper addresses the security of quantum computers themselves across NISQ and FTQC regimes, distinguishing it from post-quantum cryptography. It provides a high-level synthesis of threat models and defense directions, organizing them into era-specific and cross-cutting themes. The contributions include a taxonomy of attack vectors (gate-crosstalk, reset-gate, readout-crosstalk; error-correction and decoders) and emerging defense directions and identified research gaps. The work highlights practical impact for researchers, government, and industry by outlining where future funding and security-by-design should be directed.

Abstract

This document presents a concise overview of the contemporary research directions in quantum computer cybersecurity. The aim of this document is not to be a survey, but rather a succinct summary of the major research directions in quantum computer cybersecurity at the end of the first half of the current decade. The document has been inspired by the presentations and discussions held at the 3$^{rd}$ Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Symposium, but goes beyond the contents of the symposium and aims to summarize at the high level the last five years of quantum computer cybersecurity work in academia. It is hoped that the document can provide researchers as well as government and industry leaders an overview of the current landscape of security threats and defenses against emergent quantum computing technologies. The document also includes a discussion of the current trends in cybersecurity research on quantum computers, and the perceived research gaps that should be filled with future funding and through academic and industry~research.