Building a New Paradigm for Hong Kong's Cybersecurity in the Post-Quantum Era
With the rapid development of quantum computing technology, the global community is accelerating the advancement of quantum-secure communication and related standards to counter the cybersecurity risks posed by future quantum attacks. Against this critical backdrop, the 1st Meeting on the Strategic Initiative for Hong Kong’s Cybersecurity was successfully convened at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).
The landmark meeting was co-initiated by the Honorable Duncan Chiu, Legislative Council Member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and Professor Liu Ai-Qun, Director of the Research Institute for Quantum Technology at PolyU. It brought together representatives from government, academia, research institutes, regulatory bodies, and network operators to jointly explore the cybersecurity challenges and future development directions that Hong Kong faces in the post-quantum era.
Global Expertise Meets Local Strategy
Renowned international experts, including Professor Timothy Ralph (Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science) of the University of Queensland and Professor Peter van Loock of Mainz University, delivered thematic reports on the latest global developments in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum networks. Their insights provided Hong Kong with critical reference points to assess international technology trends and formulate forward-looking research and policy directions.
Key attendees included representatives from the HKSAR Digital Policy Office, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), and China Mobile Hong Kong. Discussions covered risks and challenges across government governance, financial security, R&D innovation, legal regulations, communication networks, product development, technical standards, and industrial applications.
Securing Critical Infrastructure
A major focus of the meeting was the potential impact of quantum computing on existing cryptographic systems and critical digital infrastructure. Stakeholders exchanged views on post-quantum cybersecurity, quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum secure communication, infrastructure protection, technology verification, product standards, talent cultivation, and international cooperation.Participants emphasized that mitigating quantum attack risks requires a systematic, cross-sector approach that integrates scientific research, policy, regulation, law, standards, and industry. Hong Kong must strengthen collaboration among the government, universities, financial institutions, telecom operators, and technology enterprises to build a complete ecosystem from foundational research to practical deployment.
Leadership Perspectives and Future Synergy
In his opening remarks, Ir Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, highlighted that cybersecurity has become a vital strategic issue for the digital economy, financial stability, and critical infrastructure. He urged Hong Kong to leverage its strengths in research innovation, international cooperation, and financial services to promote interdisciplinary collaboration.Closing the meeting, Hon Duncan Chiu noted that the event successfully established an exchange platform for Hong Kong’s post-quantum cybersecurity sector. He emphasized the urgent need to prepare for quantum threats to financial encryption, accelerate infrastructure readiness, and integrate into the national innovation system to safeguard digital assets. Notably, this strategic direction closely echoes the consensus reached at a recent exchange session on quantum threats hosted by the DAB Policy Advocacy Committee, which underscored the severe challenges to current financial encryption and highlighted the urgency of expediting post-quantum preparations for critical infrastructure. Hon Duncan Chiu expressed hope for continued unity across sectors, stronger international cooperation, and sustained progress in scientific innovation, policy research, and industrial development.
