Quantum technology. Over 1,000 visitors, more than half of whom were students, met at the WestCord WTC Hotel Leeuwarden. Speakers Deborah Nas (TU Delft) and Martin Vos (Eurofiber) endorsed the importance of quantum technology and the need to prepare for the opportunities and threats of the quantum computer. In doing so, CONNECT endorses the fire letter sent by 20 MEPs to the European Commission.
Professor Deborah Nas (TU Delft): focusing on ethical, legal and societal aspects of Quantum technology
Deborah Nas is a leading expert on the societal impact of Quantum technology. She set up the Centre for Quantum & Society for QuantumDelta NL, a knowledge and expertise centre on the ethical, legal and societal impact of Quantum technologies. Deborah is also a part-time professor of 'Strategic Design for Technology-Based Innovation' at Delft University of Technology and holds various supervisory roles at tech startups.
According to Nas, it is important for society to prepare for the arrival of Quantum technology in a timely manner. "This also applies to our education system. Quantum technology offers huge opportunities for IT students. The Netherlands leads the way when it comes to research on Quantum technology, but a lot of capacity and knowledge is still needed to apply it. Now Quantum is only taught in physics studies. Soon we will also see it in Computer Science and IT studies." Companies also need to get started, according to Nas. "In every ICT department, you should appoint a few Quantum Champions, who participate in pilots and experiments. In the port of Rotterdam, for example, they are already testing Quantum Key Distribution. Extremely important if you want to ensure the long-term security of our critical infrastructure."
Nas himself is an initiator of the Quantum & Society Centre, a place where the ethical, legal and social aspects of Quantum technology are considered. "It's right around the corner. And although we don't know everything yet, it is important to prepare for the changes it will bring. You have to start doing that in time."
Martin Vos (Eurofiber): Optical fibre crucial in secure quantum technology
Making vital data quantum proof is important. Quantum technology can make data more secure. But the same technology can eventually crack all the keys and encryptions we use to secure data now. Martin: "That's a huge risk. If you want evil, you can steal and store data now that you can decrypt later, when quantum technology is available. That's why it's important to look at the long-term security of data now. Is it quantum proof? We therefore need to become aware of the importance of information security."
Digital society depends CONNECT on data and information technology. Large parts of our daily lives, our behaviour, our interests, are all recorded. This data is then processed, transported and stored. "This makes data security increasingly important," Martin says. "This involves not only ensuring that the message itself, the data, is secure, but also the network through which it is transported and where it is stored. So you create a situation where we maximise the reliability of information. And reduce the opportunities for hackers and cybercriminals. A secure and reliable network is crucial in this."
CONNECT is a public-private partnership in the Northern Netherlands
CONNECT is an organisation whose main goal is to retain ICT talent in the North, with members ranging from private and non-profit organisations to educational institutions. Several projects are currently underway, each contributing to this goal in its own way. These projects include exchange programmes, retraining programmes, knowledge meetings and master classes aimed at both MBO and HBO education, as well as exchange programmes between companies and talent development. According to chairman Erik Miedema, CONNECT's success is based on public-private cooperation.
Municipalities and provinces in the Northern Netherlands promote the retraining of people with a distance to the labour market and those looking for new challenges so they can specialise in the ICT sector. This is supported by a well-coordinated educational programme from MBO to University. Industry and government offer internships and job guarantees, creating a crucial route for skill development and employment. Moreover, companies involve regional educational institutions in research, translating innovation into employment and economic growth, said Erik Miedema.
