IBM and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) are planning to establish the Quantum-Safe Centre, targeted for launch by the end of 2026, as a dedicated hub to accelerate Singapore’s transition to quantum-safe cybersecurity. The Centre will help organisations assess risks, adopt new security approaches and develop the talent needed for the post-quantum era, according to a media release from IBM.
The Quantum-Safe Centre, located in the SIT Punggol Campus within the Punggol Digital District (PDD), is designed to help organisations prepare for and transition to quantum-safe cryptography. As a central resource for enterprise leaders, technology practitioners, academic researchers, and government stakeholders, the Quantum-Safe Centre aims to:
- Build awareness of emerging cybersecurity risks posed by advanced quantum computing and help organisations understand the steps needed to protect their systems and data.
- Assess organisations’ quantum-safe readiness by identifying potential vulnerabilities in their existing cybersecurity systems and mapping pathways to adopt quantum-safe solutions.
- Enable hands-on test bedding of quantum-safe technologies such as IBM Guardium Cryptography Manager and IBM Quantum Safe Explorer through experimentation and applied use cases in PDD’s live testbed environment.
- Develop a future-ready workforce through executive education, professional training, applied learning and applied research opportunities in quantum-safe cybersecurity.
- Foster collaboration across industry, academia and government to strengthen Singapore’s post-quantum resilience and support structured migration to quantum-safe solutions and practices.
Translating these aims into action, the Quantum-Safe Centre will offer two Continuing Education and Training (CET) programmes co-developed by SIT and IBM, a quantum-safe testbed powered by IBM- Quantum Safe technology which includes IBM Guardium Cryptography Manager and IBM Quantum Safe Explorer, and targeted briefings and workshops. Designed for senior business leaders and technical practitioners, the programmes will equip organisations with the knowledge and practical skills needed to build a strategic quantum-safe roadmap.
Appointed as SIT’s first Distinguished Visiting Scientist, Michael Osborne, Chief Technology Officer of IBM Quantum Safe will help shape the Centre’s education, applied research and industry collaboration initiatives, while fostering knowledge exchange between academia and industry to strengthen Singapore’s quantum-safe capabilities.
Commenting on his appointment, Osborne 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.”
Expressing SIT’s commitment to the Centre, Professor Chua Kee Chaing, President, 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.”
Underscoring the urgency of the post-quantum cryptography transition, Siew San Tan, General Manager and Technology Leader, 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.”
The Quantum-Safe Centre has received the support of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), which sees the initiative as aligned with Singapore’s broader efforts to build national quantum-safe readiness. Ong Kok Wee, Assistant Chief Executive, Policy and Corporate Development, 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.”
