ITU accepts ISARA proposal to develop standard in quantum-safe certification

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recently accepted the proposal of cybersecurity firm ISARA to support multiple public-key algorithm certificates. The department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) helped make this acceptance possible when it sponsored ISARA's proposal to the ITU. The certification is a new feature in the next version of X.509 global standard, making Waterloo-based ISARA one of the first organizations to develop an international standard in quantum-safe certificates. Mark Pecen, ISARA chief operating officer, says the active support of the Canadian government is one of the key reasons Canada has developed into one of the most vibrant centers of R&D for quantum computing with the aim of turning mathematics and theoretical physics into real products and services that protect and benefit the global economy. For his part, ISED minister Navdeep Bains recognized ISARA as among a number of companies emerging in Waterloo Region's Quantum Valley with the promise to lead the world into a new era of quantum computing.