Cryptographic resilience to protect against risk and seize opportunities

Dr. Mosca is one of the world's leading scientists in quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and conventional cryptography in an era with quantum technologies. He founded Canada's Institute for Quantum Computing, was a founding Faculty Member of Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and co-authored the textbook An Introduction to Quantum Computing.

As a professor at the University of Waterloo, he pioneered study in quantum computing with the support of St. Jerome’s University’s Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research. The co-founder of CryptoWorks21, a training program in quantum-safe cryptography, Mosca instituted the Quantum Cryptography Summer School for Young Scientists at Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing.

He co-founded evolutionQ Inc. to provide services and products to enable organizations to advance their quantum-vulnerable systems and practices to become quantum-safe.

Mosca has had a few accolades, too. In 2010, he was named Canada’s Top 40 Under 40; received the Governor General of Canada Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013; and a Knighthood, Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2018. Mosca also co-founded the not-for-profit Quantum-Safe Canada to boost efforts for creating a safer digital infrastructure in Canada as the quantum era unfolds.

Dr. Lütkenhaus is a renowned leader in quantum communication, quantum cryptography, and quantum-safe cybersecurity. He is Vice-Chair of the ETSI Industry Specification Group on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), coordinating the certification effort for QKD devices. 

A professor at the University of Waterloo, Lütkenhaus is an academic high-tech leader, who has pioneered design and security analysis of Quantum Key Distribution protocols. He led the Theory Project of the European demonstrator network of quantum key distribution, Secure Communication based on Quantum Cryptography (SECOQC). 

He has also led the Emmy Noether Research Group at University of Erlangen-Nurnberg. 

Besides his academic and professional contributions, Lütkenhaus has volunteered for Big Brothers and Sisters for over 12 years.

David Jao is a distinguished cryptographer who completed his PhD at Harvard and worked in the Cryptography and Anti-Piracy Group at Microsoft Research before joining the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo.

He is Director of the Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research (CACR) and leads a large research group in post-quantum or quantum-safe cryptography at the University of Waterloo.  

Jao is an inventor of isogeny-based cryptography and does research in isogeny-based cryptography and post-quantum cryptography. He is one of the University of Waterloo’s favorite professors. Students have commented that while he is a tough grader, his lectures are fun and is easy to learn from.