With the rapid advancement in quantum computing, in the next few years, risks of quantum threats against classical cryptography is rising. Cisco Research is working on this important topic of quantum security, which is also referred to quantum-resistant security that may use post-quantum cryptography/quantum-safe cryptography. Cisco research team are interested in studying what are the research problems in studying as well as in helping the world solve foundational and hard research problems in the broad area of quantum-resistant cryptography and security.

The goal of this RFP is to solicit proposals that aim to conduct research to define, study, and address the research challenges in this area. Specific areas of research include but are not limited to the following:

• Quantum-resistant networks, quantum-resistant systems

• Best practices and standards for quantum-resistant security

• Quantum threats and attack against cryptography and other security protocols

• Vulnerability and risk analysis in the context of quantum threats

• Remediation of quantum vulnerabilities

• Defense against quantum threats

• Development of novel quantum-resistant algorithms, protocols, approaches, techniques and systems

• Systemic implementation and adoption of hybrid cryptography, PQC algorithms, and may leverage QRNG, QKD in novel ways.