Applied Quantum supports operators of grids, plants, transport systems and industrial networks where safety, resilience and uptime are non negotiable. We help you understand how quantum technologies affect your OT/ICS, IT and supply chains – and where quantum sensing, optimisation or simulation can genuinely improve operations.
Sector Overview
Critical‑infrastructure and industrial operators sit where physical systems, OT/ICS, IT and national‑level risk meet. Their environments are complex, safety‑critical and often regulated – and were rarely designed with strong, agile cryptography in mind.
As grids, plants, networks and logistics chains become more connected and data‑rich, quantum becomes relevant in two ways:
- as a risk to long‑lived control systems, telemetry and operational data;
- as a tool for sensing, optimisation and simulation to enhance safety, reliability and efficiency.
Who we work with
We support operators across:
- Power generation, transmission and distribution.
- Oil, gas and petrochemical production, pipelines and trading.
- Water, wastewater and environmental‑infrastructure operations.
- Transportation networks.
- Manufacturing – discrete, process, automotive, aerospace, semiconductor and more.
- Logistics, warehousing, parcel and freight operators.
- Smart cities, building automation and large industrial campuses.
Where quantum matters
Building with quantum and quantum‑inspired methods
- Quantum sensing for asset monitoring, anomaly detection, navigation, timing and environmental measurement.
- Quantum and quantum‑inspired optimisation for network flows, routing, maintenance planning and resource allocation.
- Quantum‑enhanced modelling and simulation for complex industrial systems and resilience planning.
Defending against the quantum computing threat
- PQC and crypto‑modernisation for OT and IT: control systems, telemetry, VPNs, management and remote‑access channels.
- Quantum‑risk assessments that take into account safety, regulatory and operational constraints.
- Securing quantum‑enabled systems and sensors so they don’t introduce new, poorly understood attack surfaces.
Key challenges in critical infrastructure & industrial
- Legacy OT and ICS equipment with tight safety envelopes and long lifecycles.
- Fragmented ownership between operators, vendors, integrators and service providers.
- Sector‑specific regulation and supervision, often tied to national security.
- Difficulty aligning cyber, engineering, operations and risk on quantum priorities.
- Limited capacity for experiments that might disrupt production or safety cases.
How Applied Quantum helps
- Quantum Security, PQC & Risk – OT/ICS‑aware quantum‑risk assessments, cryptographic inventories, PQC and crypto‑modernisation roadmaps, key‑management and secure network designs.
- Strategy & Opportunity – sector‑specific quantum strategy, capability assessments and use‑case mapping focused on safety, resilience and efficiency.
- Engineering & Implementation – sensing strategy and integration, optimisation and simulation PoCs, quantum‑ready architectures for industrial and grid environments.
- Commercialization & TTO Support – for industrial technology vendors and joint ventures developing quantum‑enabled products and services for critical infrastructure.
Relevant Case Studies
Quantum Readiness in Energy Exploration and Production
A multinational oil and gas corporation, with operations spanning exploration, drilling, pipeline transport, and refining, faced a dual challenge regarding quantum technologies. First, the security concern: the industry has increasingly digital operations, from seismic data analysis and reservoir modeling to automated drilling rigs and pipeline SCADA systems. These rely on secure communications and data integrity.
National Quantum-Security Strategy
Shaping a national quantum‑security and PQC strategy - For a government agency, we developed a quantum‑security strategy covering critical infrastructure, public services and national cryptographic policy. This included threat and impact assessment, sector‑by‑sector prioritisation, reference architectures for PQC adoption, and stakeholder playbooks for regulators, operators and vendors.
Quantum-Safe Signaling and Optimization for Rail Systems
A major metropolitan mass transit authority, operating an extensive rail and subway system, recognized that its ongoing digital modernization brought with it new cybersecurity challenges – especially with the looming prospect of quantum computers. Modern rail systems depend on secure communication: signaling systems send commands to trains, positive train control systems prevent collisions, and operational data about train positions and speeds flow constantly.
Relevant Insights
Quantum Sensing – Introduction and Taxonomy
Quantum sensing is poised to augment and in some cases revolutionize how we measure the world. Its unique ability to leverage fundamental quantum phenomena – superposition, entanglement, and more – means it can achieve what was once thought impossible: detecting ...
Engaging and Managing Vendors for Quantum Readiness
Vendors provide critical software, cloud platforms, fintech solutions, IoT devices, and more - and these often rely on vulnerable cryptographic algorithms under the hood. If a key vendor lags in upgrading their encryption, it could expose your data or systems ...
Post-Quantum Cryptography PQC Challenges
The transition to post-quantum cryptography is a complex, multi-faceted process that requires careful planning, significant investment, and a proactive, adaptable approach. By addressing these challenges head-on and preparing for the dynamic cryptographic landscape of the future, organizations can achieve crypto-agility ...
If you’re responsible for critical infrastructure or industrial operations and want to understand where quantum fits among many competing priorities, let’s talk.
We can help you build a realistic view of quantum risk, identify high value use cases, and design programmes that respect your safety, regulatory and operational constraints.
- Inquire about our services
- Request detailed analyst reports
- Learn about our educational programs
- Discuss partnership opportunities
- Explore our R&D collaboration
- Get support for your quantum security
- Request a demo of our solutions