Singapore — The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and IBM are planning to establish a Quantum-Safe Centre at SIT’s Punggol Campus, with the centre targeted for launch by the end of 2026.
The proposed centre will focus on helping organisations assess and address cybersecurity risks associated with advances in quantum computing, while supporting the development of skills and capabilities for the post-quantum era.
The initiative was announced by IBM and SIT on the 18th of August. The centre is intended to bring together enterprise, technology, academic, research, and government stakeholders to support Singapore’s transition towards quantum-safe cybersecurity.
The organisations said advances in quantum computing could eventually make some of the cryptographic methods currently used to protect digital systems vulnerable to new forms of cyber threats.
They also highlighted the risk of so-called “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, in which sensitive encrypted data is collected today with the intention of decrypting it when sufficiently capable quantum computers become available.
Located within SIT’s Punggol Campus in the Punggol Digital District, the Quantum-Safe Centre is expected to provide resources for organisations seeking to understand their exposure to quantum-related cybersecurity risks and plan their migration to quantum-safe cryptography.
Its planned activities include raising awareness of emerging risks, assessing organisations’ quantum-safe readiness, testing quantum-safe technologies, developing workforce capabilities and supporting collaboration between industry, academia and government.
The centre is also expected to provide a testbed for quantum-safe technologies, including IBM Guardium Cryptography Manager and IBM Quantum Safe Explorer, through experimentation and applied use cases in the Punggol Digital District.
SIT and IBM plan to offer two Continuing Education and Training programmes, alongside targeted briefings and workshops. The programmes are intended for senior business leaders and technical practitioners and will cover the knowledge and practical skills required to develop quantum-safe cybersecurity roadmaps.
The centre will also involve Michael Osborne, Chief Technology Officer of IBM Quantum Safe, who has been appointed SIT’s first Distinguished Visiting Scientist. Osborne is expected to contribute to the centre’s education, applied research and industry collaboration activities.
Commenting on his appointment, Obsborne said: “As SIT’s first Distinguished Visiting Scientist, I look forward to working directly with Singapore’s enterprises, researchers and future cybersecurity professionals to translate global best practices into practical, on-the-ground capability.”
“Preparing for the post-quantum era requires more than new cryptographic standards — it requires organisations to understand their security posture today, identify their vulnerabilities, and have a clear path forward. I will work to help bridge that gap: bringing IBM’s deep expertise in quantum-safe technologies to bear within SIT’s applied learning environment, so that Singapore’s organisations and talent are not just informed, but genuinely ready,” he continued.
Expressing SIT’s commitment to the Centre, Professor Chua Kee Chaing, President of SIT, said: “As the University for Industry, SIT’s strength lies in bridging the gap between emerging technology and real-world application — through applied learning, industry-integrated research and a deep commitment to developing work-ready talent.”
“Quantum-safe cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge — it is a workforce readiness challenge. Together with IBM, the Quantum-Safe Centre will enable Singapore’s enterprises and professionals to not just be aware of the post-quantum risk but equipped to respond to it decisively and with practical expertise,” he added.
Underscoring the urgency of the post-quantum cryptography transition, Siew San Tan, General Manager and Technology Leader at IBM Singapore, said: “Singapore’s critical infrastructure, enterprises, and government agencies are at a pivotal moment in their cybersecurity journey, and the time to prepare for the post-quantum risk is now.”
“Through our collaboration with SIT and the establishment of the Quantum-Safe Centre, IBM is committed to supporting Singapore’s organisations with the technology, expertise and capabilities they need to understand their cryptographic vulnerabilities and take decisive steps toward quantum-safe resilience. This initiative would help to ensure that Singapore’s digital economy remains secure and trusted in the years ahead,” she added.
The Quantum-Safe Centre has received support from Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency (CSA), which said the initiative is aligned with the country’s wider efforts to develop quantum-safe readiness.
Ong Kok Wee, Assistant Chief Executive, Policy and Corporate Development for the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore said: “CSA welcomes the establishment of the Quantum-Safe Centre in the heart of Singapore’s digital district. Strengthening Singapore’s quantum-safe readiness requires close collaboration across government, industry, and academia.”
“Initiatives like this provide practical support for organisations in building awareness and developing the capabilities needed for quantum-safe readiness and resilience. CSA looks forward to continuing our work with ecosystem partners like IBM and SIT to support quantum-safe migration and strengthen Singapore’s digital infrastructure,” he added.
