Preparation for the Quantum Computing Security Professional Exam
This is a fundamentally different challenge from post-quantum cryptography. The Post-Quantum Track protects classical systems from future quantum threats by migrating cryptographic algorithms. This course addresses the opposite problem: protecting quantum computers themselves from cyberattack.
Quantum computers are complex engineered systems with extensive classical infrastructure: control electronics generating microwave pulses, firmware managing calibration sequences, cloud interfaces providing remote access, HPC systems processing results, and cryogenic infrastructure maintaining operating temperatures measured in millikelvins. Every layer of this classical infrastructure is a potential attack surface. As quantum computers move from research laboratories to cloud-accessible commercial services and government programs, securing them becomes a critical requirement.
QCSP Training is the first professional training program addressing the cybersecurity of quantum computing infrastructure. The curriculum is built from direct engagement with quantum computing companies, cloud platform operators, and government programs.
Who Should Take This Course
Security professionals working with or evaluating quantum computing infrastructure. This includes:
- Security architects and engineers at quantum computing companies
- Cloud security teams at organizations offering quantum computing services
- Security assessors evaluating quantum computing programs for government agencies
- Red team members and penetration testers targeting quantum computing infrastructure
- Security consultants advising organizations deploying quantum computers
- Risk assessors evaluating quantum computing investments
- Compliance officers at organizations subject to security requirements for quantum systems
What You Will Learn
- Map the complete attack surface of a quantum computing system from cryogenics to cloud interface
- Assess the security of classical control systems including microwave generators, arbitrary waveform generators, and readout electronics
- Evaluate firmware security for quantum control systems, including update mechanisms and calibration integrity
- Assess cloud quantum computing platform security including authentication, access control, job isolation, and data handling
- Evaluate quantum-HPC integration security covering data flows between quantum processors and classical computing resources
- Assess physical and facility security requirements for quantum computing installations
- Evaluate supply chain security for quantum computing components including cryogenic systems, control electronics, and specialized materials
Course Outline
Module 1 — Quantum Computing Threat Landscape
The attack surface of a quantum computing system. Why quantum computers are attractive targets: intellectual property in circuit designs, sensitivity of computation results, potential for sabotage, supply chain manipulation. Threat actors: nation-states, competitors, insiders. Attack vectors across the classical infrastructure stack. The distinction between threats to quantum computers and threats from quantum computers (PQC).
Module 2 — Classical Control System Security
The electronics that operate a quantum computer: microwave pulse generators, arbitrary waveform generators, signal routing, and readout chains. How control system compromise could manipulate quantum computations, exfiltrate circuit designs, or degrade results without detection. Security assessment methodology for quantum control electronics. Network segmentation between control systems and other infrastructure. Monitoring and anomaly detection for control plane activity.
Module 3 — Firmware and Signal Chain Security
Firmware manages calibration sequences, qubit characterization, and error correction parameters. Compromised firmware could subtly degrade computation quality, introduce biases, or create covert channels. Firmware update mechanisms and their security properties. Calibration integrity: ensuring that calibration data has not been manipulated. Supply chain integrity for firmware components. Verification approaches for firmware running on quantum control systems.
Module 4 — Cloud Quantum Platform Security
Securing quantum computers accessed as a cloud service. Authentication and access control for quantum API access. Job isolation: ensuring that one user’s quantum circuit cannot interfere with another’s, and that circuit designs are protected. Data handling: input preparation, result transmission, and storage. Multi-tenancy security on shared quantum hardware. Audit logging and compliance. API security and rate limiting. Denial-of-service considerations specific to quantum resources.
Module 5 — Quantum-HPC Integration Security
The data flows between quantum processors and classical HPC infrastructure. Securing the interface between quantum job submission and classical pre/post-processing. Network security for quantum-classical communication. Data classification for quantum workloads. Securing the compilation pipeline: circuit designs as sensitive intellectual property. Result integrity: ensuring that computational results have not been manipulated between quantum processor and consumer.
Module 6 — Physical and Facility Security
Physical infrastructure requirements for quantum computing: dilution refrigerators, shielded rooms, vibration isolation, temperature monitoring. Physical access controls for quantum computing facilities. Environmental monitoring and alerting. Insider threat considerations for personnel with physical access to quantum hardware. Facility requirements for different deployment models: dedicated facilities, shared data centers, cloud provider premises.
Module 7 — Supply Chain and Vendor Security
The quantum computing supply chain is globally distributed, highly specialized, and in many cases dependent on sole-source suppliers. Cryogenic systems: dilution refrigerator supply chain. Control electronics: specialized components with limited suppliers. Materials: superconducting materials, photonic components, rare gases (helium-3). Assessing supply chain concentration risk. Vendor security evaluation for quantum computing components. Export controls and geopolitical considerations affecting supply chain reliability.
Format and Delivery
Online (self-paced) — US$2,499. Approximately 40 hours. 180-day access.
Live online (instructor-led) — US$2,499. Multi-day sessions.
In-person (instructor-led) — US$3,499. Multi-day at scheduled locations.
Corporate delivery — Contact training@quantumacademy.com.
Prerequisites
None (security background recommended). This is a standalone certification — it does not require CQTP or any Post-Quantum Track credential. However, professionals who also hold PQC credentials will have a broader perspective on the full spectrum of quantum security challenges.
Pricing
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Online (self-paced) | US$2,499 |
| In-person (instructor-led) | US$3,499 |
| Online training + QCSP exam bundle | US$2,999 |
| In-person training + QCSP exam bundle | US$3,999 |
All prices are in US dollars.