Summary

In May 2022, Sandbox AQ, an enterprise SaaS company delivering solutions at the intersection of AI and quantum technologies, formed a strategic alliance with Deloitte to help organizations prepare for the coming quantum era. This partnership positioned Deloitte as one of Sandbox AQ’s Platinum Global Systems Integrators, focused on providing quantum-readiness solutions to organisations preparing for both the opportunities and disruptions that mature quantum technologies would bring.

The Quantum Readiness Challenge

Organizations across industries face significant challenges in preparing for the quantum computing era. While commercial quantum computing hardware was still years away from widespread availability, the need to prepare for quantum disruption became increasingly urgent. In particular, many companies relied on encryption technologies vulnerable to quantum computing attacks, creating a pressing need to transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms.

Businesses operating in highly regulated industries like financial services, healthcare, and government faced complex cybersecurity threats in an increasingly digitalized environment. Traditional security approaches were becoming insufficient against sophisticated threat actors, including those potentially gaining access to early quantum computing capabilities. Without quantum-ready security infrastructure, organizations risked exposing sensitive data and operations to future attacks.

Quantum Solution

The partnership delivered solutions that leveraged Sandbox AQ’s advanced quantum technology expertise and Deloitte’s global security services. Their combined offering focused on two primary areas:

Quantum-Resistant Cryptography: The alliance developed solutions to help organizations upgrade their cybersecurity infrastructure, including transitioning to post-quantum cryptographic algorithms that could withstand attacks from future quantum computers.
AI-Quantum Applications: Building on Sandbox AQ’s expertise at the nexus of AI and quantum technologies, the partnership created applications for sectors including financial services, biopharma, and chemistry modeling and simulation. These solutions leveraged high-performance computing power and emerging quantum technologies to address computationally intensive business challenges.

The solutions were designed to operate effectively on existing infrastructure while preparing organizations for a smooth transition as quantum hardware became more readily available. This forward-looking approach allowed organizations to derive immediate benefits from quantum-inspired algorithms running on classical systems while ensuring they would be prepared for the full capabilities of quantum computing in the future.

Implementation

The implementation strategy focused on making quantum readiness pragmatic and accessible for enterprise clients. The partners developed a phased approach that began with risk assessment, followed by infrastructure modernization, and culminating in the deployment of quantum-resistant systems.

Initial use cases prioritized upgrading the cybersecurity infrastructure of joint customers, with particular attention to the transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms. This approach addressed the most immediate threat posed by quantum computing: the potential to break widely-used encryption protocols.

The alliance brought together Sandbox AQ’s deep quantum knowledge and advanced technology solutions with Deloitte’s cybersecurity expertise and quantum advisory capabilities. This combination enabled organizations to effectively mitigate risks and protect operations during the quantum transformation.

Results and Business Impact

The strategic alliance delivered significant value to forward-thinking organizations. By implementing quantum-ready security measures, clients gained protection against future quantum attacks while maintaining compatibility with existing systems. This proactive approach to cybersecurity positioned organizations to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Deborah Golden, Deloitte US Cyber and Strategic Risk leader, noted that the partnership helped organizations “preempt threats, transform securely and work toward a competitive market advantage that could result from early adoption” . Prnewswire The business impact extended beyond security to include operational efficiencies in areas like financial modeling, chemical simulations, and pharmaceutical research.

The alliance responded to the urgency expressed by Deloitte Global CEO Punit Renjen, who emphasized that “businesses that have the right technology in place to get ahead of those threats are going to have stronger staying power” . Prnewswire By combining Sandbox AQ’s advanced technology solutions with Deloitte’s global security services, the partnership equipped organizations with critical capabilities for navigating the complex challenges of the quantum era.

Future Directions

Building on their initial success, Sandbox AQ and Deloitte established a roadmap for expanding their quantum readiness offerings. Future plans included extending quantum-resistant cryptography implementations across additional industries and developing more sophisticated AI-quantum hybrid applications for specific business challenges.

The partnership continues to evolve alongside advancements in quantum technology, with a focus on maintaining the security and competitive advantage of their clients as the quantum computing landscape matures. This forward-looking approach positions both Sandbox AQ and Deloitte at the forefront of quantum-enabled business transformation, helping shape industry standards while delivering practical value to organizations navigating the quantum revolution.