Upcoming Talk: A Systems Engineer, a CISO, and Heisenberg walk into a bar...

There will be an evening lecture about quantum systems engineering from Catherine White (BT) on Wednesday, 23rd April 2025, 6pm-7pm.

Available at Loughborough University or Online.

We are currently working closely with Catherine on the QAssure project, and we are excited about this upcoming lecture.

Please contact us if you are interested in attending!

Abstract

Quantum technologies perform critical functions. These include security, sensing and timing; as well as potentially vital computation and optimisation tasks. 

Systems engineering has the potential to improve the security of, reliability of and confidence in quantum technology. Applying well-established systems engineering techniques can help in analysing the behaviour of real world quantum technology. Modelling the characteristics of the implementation of an abstract idea can help identify side channels and possible unexpected behaviour, including classical properties that can leak information in quantum security systems.

There is also a requirement to extend or adapt Systems Engineering techniques, to handle properties that do not occur in other types of system. Physics has always complicated interactions in Systems-of-Systems, since 'action at a distance' is possible with classical fields (such as electromagnetic long-range effects). 

However, for some quantum systems-of-systems, interaction is possible even when the systems are fully shielded and separated, i.e. via entanglement.

I shall cover:

* How Systems Engineers are working with BT to help us gain confidence that the implementation of a QKD system is really correct and secure.

* What challenges for systems engineering does quantum technology bring, with examples such as: 

How can we assure a quantum clock against adversaries ‘in the multiverse*'? (i.e. adversaries that may use resources such as entanglement between their system and the clock)

How can we assure the behaviour of a quantum computer built from separate quantum components, connected via quantum interfaces

Biography

Cathy White is a technologist within the Optical and Quantum Centre of Excellence at BT Research and Network Strategy. She is the project manager for the Innovate UK funded QAssure project which is a large collaborative project involving Bristol University, Kings College London and Loughborough, as well as partners in Industry, to accelerate assurance for quantum communications.

Book you place through INCOSE UK Events page or by contacting wsapprenticeships@lboro.ac.uk