Quantum state of mind: Insights from a cybersecurity entrepreneur
By Vikram Sharma, CEO of QuintessenceLabs
The world of cybersecurity is at an interesting crossroads: advances in technology have put
our most valuable data at ever-increasing risk of breaches and exploits. Conversely
technology is also creating the potential to fundamentally strengthen our data protection
through quantum cybersecurity.
With a passion for technology and physics, I have been able to leverage the quantum
principles of nature to improve the building blocks of cybersecurity infrastructure. Through
this incredible journey I have learned quite a bit that has put QuintessenceLabs in a unique
position to lead the charge in bringing impactful quantum cybersecurity solutions to market.
I am often asked how and why I became involved with quantum cybersecurity. The original
idea of what would later become QuintessenceLabs started while I was attending the
Stanford Sloan MSc program, during which I took the opportunity to sit-in on classes at
Stanford University in quantum physics. Subsequent to joining a PhD program at the
Australian National University in Canberra, I set the goal of building a start-up company in
the quantum cybersecurity space.
The scientist inside drove me to explore tapping into the quantum properties of lasers to
generate, distribute and manage the highest quality encryption keys - often seen as one of
the Achilles’ heels of security. Without truly random numbers as the basis of encryption
keys used to encode sensitive information, valuable data is at risk from advances in
computing capability – conventional and quantum.
The entrepreneur inside drove me to build a start-up to address the rapid escalation in
cyber breaches, where traditional perimeter defence technologies, such as firewalls and the
like, were increasingly proving insufficient to defend valuable information.
Through my journey, I have learned three key lessons that are essential for any
entrepreneur in order to be successful, regardless of the industry and avenue you are
pursuing:
1. To achieve commercial success you must be prepared to rapidly evolve, or on
occasion recast, your business and technology roadmaps in response to
learnings from customers and strategic partners.
2. Strategic partnerships, whether in non-core capabilities such as
manufacturing or as force-multipliers in key areas such as sales, marketing
and support, can significantly accelerate growth and lower your
organisational risk profile.
3. A compelling vision and a strong corporate culture are critical in unifying and
energising the team when responding to the many challenges of translating a
great idea in to a commercial success.
To my second point, I have personally been extremely fortunate to find strong support to
further my vision from concept to reality. Our initial capital came from a consortium of
private investors which was augmented by a grant from AusIndustry, a division of the
Australian Department of Industry. This support was instrumental in enabling the company
to commence commercial operations. We recently closed a significant funding round led by
Westpac Banking Group, one of the 20 largest banks in the world, to grow QuintessenceLabs
in to a globally recognised brand in our target markets. I am truly grateful for the trust and
confidence our investors and AusIndustry have placed in the QuintessenceLabs team and
technology.
The company's success to-date has been built on the concerted efforts of a world-leading,
dedicated team. I am very privileged to be working with such an enthusiastic, highfunctioning group of people whose efforts sustain QuintessenceLabs’ leadership in the field
of quantum cybersecurity.