Title:
Protecting our National Infrastructure from the Quantum Cyber Threat: How New Cryptographic Standards Will Impact Oil and Gas Resources

Abstract:
Modern-day cryptography is being challenged by quantum computer’s ability to solve the previously “unsolvable” problems that secure current cryptography. This requires companies to transition to new quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms. The oil and gas industry
continues to be a target for large cyberattacks and the growing threat posed by quantum computers will only increase the potential attack surface by making current cryptographic methods insecure. Areas without authentication or with insecure authentication are and will
continue to be highly vulnerable attacks from bad actors tracking critical oil discoveries or tampering with environmental control systems, which could enable disruptions of aquatic stability around oil rigs.

Booz Allen’s Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) experts discussed how organizations can actively secure their critical infrastructure through quantum-resistant solutions and reinforced authentication methods. This session on PQC covered the threat quantum computing poses to cyber, why this is a problem today, and what this means for the future of securing critical oil and gas resources.

Speakers:

Taylor Brady: Taylor Brady is a Quantum Lead at Booz Allen Hamilton running the Post Quantum Cryptography Portfolio. Taylor specializes in both post-quantum cryptography and software development and holds degrees in both Physics and Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame.

Rachael Stryker: Rachael Stryker is a Lead Quantum Scientist at Booz Allen Hamilton. Rachael specializes in both post-quantum cryptography and advanced data science and holds an Engineering degree from the University of Virginia and a Mathematics degree from Virginia Tech.