Professor Soumaya Cherkaoui Contributes to OIQ Article on Quantum Computing Applications
Prof. Soumaya Cherkaoui, was recently invited by the Quebec Order of Engineers – Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) – to contribute to an article on quantum computing and its potential, particularly in transforming communication networks and reinventing cybersecurity. The article appears in the Summer 2025 issue of PLAN, the OIQ’s official magazine, on pages 92–96.
In her contribution, Prof. Cherkaoui highlights the transdisciplinary nature of quantum computing — spanning quantum mechanics, materials science, mathematical tools, quantum programming, and quantum algorithms. She discusses how quantum computing could significantly benefit a wide range of sectors, including logistics, finance, pharmaceutical research, AI-driven complex simulations, cybersecurity defence, and network performance optimization.
Prof. Cherkaoui’s research focuses on the quantum optimization of resource allocation in communication networks. Her work leverages the capabilities of quantum algorithms to maximize spectral and energy efficiency, while meeting the growing demands for capacity, reliability, and ultra-low latency.
Another major area of Prof. Cherkaoui’s research is reinforcing the resilience and cybersecurity of increasingly complex and densely connected systems. As Professor Cherkaoui explains, “Quantum computing is becoming a reality, and companies are already offering access to quantum processors via the cloud. Despite being a powerful tool for accelerating complex simulations, it also poses a threat: it could break traditional cryptographic algorithms, putting the current cybersecurity defences in jeopardy.”
Quantum computing is, in that sense, a mixed blessing—while it introduces new risks, it also opens the door to innovative countermeasures. One such solution, and a topic of active research in Prof. Cherkaoui’s work, is quantum key distribution (QKD). QKD uses quantum algorithms to encrypt data and transmit it securely over a quantum channel. Any attempt to intercept the transmission irreversibly alters the quantum states, causing the qubits to collapse into classical bits and thereby exposing the intrusion.