Capabilities

At the Forefront of the Quantum Revolution

Applying quantum technologies to meet mission challenges

Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) is the study and use of quantum mechanics to advance technology beyond what is currently possible. Rather than being a silver-bullet solution in every scenario, the fields of QIST represent technological advances well-suited to solving specific problems. Better simulations of extreme weather, new computational design techniques for pharmaceuticals, breakthrough approaches in materials that increase the efficiency of solar cells and batteries, and optimization techniques for complex supply chains are just some of the possibilities for quantum technologies.

As a leader in QIST, Booz Allen advises and researches alongside our clients to take advantage of QIST’s unique potential to pursue breakthrough solutions to specific challenges. At the same time, we help clients get ready for the massive changes to cyber infrastructure necessary to properly prepare for quantum computers’ impact on network security.

Explore how QIST can disrupt and revolutionize existing operations:

Quantum Computing

Quantum algorithms excel in previously intractable problem spaces, potentially accelerating new and emerging analytics pipelines, enabling the design of new materials, and eliminating bottlenecks in critical government and business processes. Quantum computing includes the development of hardware as well as software and algorithms.

Quantum-Safe Communications

Quantum communications encompasses new ways of transmitting and securing information. It includes research on hardening traditional forms of communications against cyberattacks by future quantum computers. Chief among this work is post-quantum cryptography (PQC), the development of classical algorithms designed to resist attackers with access to a classical or quantum computer.

Quantum Sensing

Quantum mechanics can transform sensor resolution and range beyond what is traditionally possible. This technology enables satellite-free navigation, deep space exploration, geological discovery, and more. Quantum sensors are also leveraged for use in quantum computing and communications.

Our report—Understanding the Capabilities of Modern Quantum Computers—provides a plain-language summary of our research into where and how quantum solutions will be truly advantageous.

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Full Transcript of Video

There are some types of computations, such as certain optimization and simulation problems, that remain out of reach for even the most powerful supercomputers. In order to tackle problems like discovering new treatments for cancer patients enabling more accurate weather forecasting developing new materials for hypersonic vehicles, and more, fundamentally new approaches like Quantum Computing are necessary. Whereas classical physics describes the physics of everyday phenomena, quantum physics explains the behavior of matter and light on atomic and subatomic scales. This new approach to computing has the potential to solve many problems that are out of reach for current systems. Traditional computers encode information in bits that obey the laws of classical physics. Whereas quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, that obey the laws of quantum physics. Qubits offer new computational possibilities by using three special features of quantum mechanics: superposition, quantum measurement, and entanglement. Classical bits encode information in ones or zeros. With quantum computing, superposition enables qubits to be in a state that is a combination of zero and one. Imagine a qubit as a spinning coin. A spinning coin is neither heads nor tails until it stops spinning and lands on one side or the other. This process of stopping that spinning coin to see if it is heads or tails is analogous to taking a measurement in quantum mechanics. Quantum entanglement is the notion that two qubits can be connected, such that actions on one of them can influence the other – even if they are physically separated. While this can have many far reaching implications in the realm of quantum communications, this property is also integral to many quantum algorithms. The powerful correlations from quantum entanglement enable us to manipulate information across multiple qubits at the same time. We can use this feature to implement massively parallel operations that in some cases require exponentially fewer resources. As the pace of advancement in quantum technology rapidly accelerates, quantum computing's relevance to mission-critical problems will only continue to grow. As this quantum-enabled future draws nearer, Booz Allen is working rapidly at the forefront of this technology to bring it to our clients’ missions and to drive next-gen outcomes.

Why Is Quantum Strategically Important?

Quantum technologies are expected to propel dramatic leaps in computational capability, important advances in sensor design, and new strategies for accurately communicating quantum information. These increased measurement and processing capabilities would catalyze revolutionary advancements in nearly every industry and discipline—national security, communications, healthcare, materials engineering, manufacturing, and finance sectors all stand to gain.

Through legislation and executive action, the federal government is working to ensure U.S. leadership in QIST and several commercial sectors are responding to the call. Organizations across industry are rallying together to test hardware, design software, and support applied research into how quantum will affect their fields. Booz Allen is committed to supporting this work. We help our clients understand how quantum technologies will impact their missions and businesses and how early investment can secure future advantages. It is pivotal to begin this planning today to ensure that organizations can leverage the technology to its full potential with a first-mover advantage. We can provide customized quantum support to your organization, federal agency, or national laboratory.

U.S. Government Resources

Advancements in QIST are challenging our understanding of what future computing, communications, and sensing technologies will look like and have compelling potential implications across the government and private sectors. Continued dedication to furthering QIST, as well as proactive moves toward information security in a quantum-enabled world, is key to building the partnerships and knowledge the United States needs to embrace these exciting technologies as they mature.

Our Quantum Services

Quantum Strategy

We understand the dynamics of QIST and its intersection with other critical technologies. We combine our research and cross-cutting expertise to understand the advantages within different mission areas and business applications, as well as the timelines for when specific advances can be expected.

Quantum Technology

We combine decades of client mission experience with rigorous, research-informed quantum expertise. This uniquely positions us to help our clients evaluate their own research and hardware at a deeply technical level, identifying current gaps and advising on future priorities.

Quantum Research

Understanding the fundamentals of QIST is critical for developing mission-ready technologies. Using our team’s deep academic expertise, honed through in-house QIST research, we can efficiently and effectively assist our clients with their own research.

Explore our dedicated capabilities for Quantum Tech for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing.

Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst: Preparing for the Quantum Cyber Threat

Despite their significant promise, quantum computers also threaten how enterprises secure critical data given their ability to solve the difficult math problems that are the basis for some modern encryption standards. Luckily, we do not have to wait for a full-scale quantum computer to start protecting critical data from the threat these computers present. PQC uses classical algorithms rooted in math problems that a quantum computer cannot efficiently solve to secure data. Government entities, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), have selected PQC algorithms for future cybersecurity and continue to manage the PQC standardization process.

At Booz Allen, we understand that transitioning to new cybersecurity standards is no easy task so we provide a range of cryptographic services and expertise for transitioning to new cybersecurity standards:

Data Discovery

Identify data sources and business sensitivity levels used across your organization to prioritize transition strategy.

Cryptographic Discovery

Assess the lifecycle of cryptography used, availability of algorithms, and policy governing the cryptographic lifecycle. Create a cryptographic inventory to inform and prioritize PQC adoption.