Get ready! ETSI and the Institute for Quantum Computing are organising their next joint event, the ETSI/IQC Quantum Safe Cryptography Conference.
The 2026 conference is travelling to Ottawa (Canada) and will be hosted by Carleton University, on 16-18 June 2026.
About the Conference
We rely on cryptography and other cyber technologies every day to protect our data and secure our digital infrastructures. As progress toward a cryptographically relevant quantum computer advances, we are running out of time to transition to quantum-safe technologies. This is a continually evolving and complex journey and much remains to be understood and navigated.
Designed for members of the business, government, and research communities with a stake in cryptographic standardisation, this forward-looking conference facilitates the knowledge exchange and collaboration on securing cyber infrastructures and business practices against the challenges of quantum computing.
The conference will showcase both new developments from industry and government and cutting-edge potential solutions coming out of the most recent research.
Attending this event is the perfect opportunity to determine your next steps, learn from experts and network with others going through the transition to quantum-safe digital infrastructure. You will encounter the latest research in an actionable way that is tailored to your needs, with specific tracks for both executives and technical experts.
Do not miss the chance to participate: Answer the open call for presentations and posters!
The Programme Committee Members are launching a call for presentations and posters.
Take this chance to showcase your expertise and contribute to advancing quantum-safe technologies. The deadline to submit a contribution is on 23 January 2026.
Click here to find out how to contribute!
Registration will open at the end of March, when the conference programme is announced.
Subscribe to the ETSI Events mailing list and/or the ETSI Security Events Mailing list to receive the conference announcements.
You may also actively participate in the ETSI Quantum Community Linkedin Group.
The conference will take place at Carleton University, in the Richcraft Hall. More details will be provided at a later stage.
ETSI and IQC are thankful for the expertise and dedication of the following Programme Committee Members:
- Michele Mosca, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo (Programme Committee Chair)
- Jaya Baloo, AISLE
- Matthew Campagna, Amazon Web Services
- Sofia Celi, Brave
- Martin Charbonneau, Nokia
- Lily Chen, NIST
- Donna Dodson, EvolutionQ
- Jaime Gómez García, Grupo Santander
- James Howe, SandboxAQ
- Bruno Huttner, IDQuantique
- Ayesha Khalid , Queen's University Belfast
- Vicente Martin, UPM
- Sarah McCarthy, Citi
- Emily N, NCSC
- Kim Nordström, ETSI
- Daniel Panario, Carleton University
- Mark Pecen, Approach Infinity, Inc.
- Gabriele Perone, ETSI
- Bart Preneel, KU Leuven
- Johanna Sepulveda, Airbus
- Martin Ward, Toshiba Europe
- Colin Whorlow, NCSC
- Hong Xiang, Chongqing University
- Sara Zafar Jafarzadeh, Synospys Inc.
Organisation Committee:
Nathalie Guinet, ETSI
Caroline Flocari, Carleton University
The ETSI/IQC Quantum Safe Cryptography Conference 2026 will be held in person in Ottawa, Canada, from 16 to 18 June 2026.
Do not miss this opportunity to share insights, present research, and connect with top experts driving innovation in secure communications.
The Members of the programme committee are calling for presentations and posters (deadline 23 January) on the following key topics:
1. Global perspectives from international governments and regional bodies on quantum-safe technologies.
2. Quantum-Safe Cryptography including novel applications, proof-of-concept and deployments in software or hardware.
3. Quantum Key Distribution including lessons learned from current deployments, QKD in space and integration with QSC.
4. Standardisation, regulation, and certification of quantum-safe technologies such as QSC and QKD, including legal perspectives and cost analysis.
5. Real-world examples of migration to quantum-safe digital infrastructure, including challenges, costs, impacts, and lessons learned.
6. Industry perspectives and experiences including finance, telecommunication, energy and other critical sectors.
7. Advances in quantum-safe research and development, for example hybrid key agreements or advanced primitives, quantum-safe protocols, digital identity and zero trust, symmetric key infrastructures, open-source software, or implementations on constrained hardware.
8. Recent advancements in cryptanalysis or side-channel attacks.
9. Cryptographic agility in both hardware and software, including examples of strategies, approaches, and tools to help achieve it
Submission guidelines
ETSI is using the tool myKEY4 to collect the conference presentations and/or poster proposals. The hard deadline to submit a proposal is 23 January 2026.
- 1st step: Candidate presenters have to create a myKEY4account. Be prepared to also load your biography and picture in this first step.
- 2nd step: Login to submit your presentation and/or poster proposal referring to the above topics of the conference.
Until 23 January, you may submit as draft and finetune your contribution(s).
After 23 January, your contributions should be fully submitted in the system to be evaluated by the Programme Committee.
Tips - Note that in 2025, fewer than 40% of submissions were accepted, so make yours stand out!
- Ensure your proposal is non-commercial and aligned with the conference topics.
- Submit one proposal per topic per type of proposal (presentation and/or poster)
- Selected speakers and poster presenters are expected to attend the event on-site in Ottawa.
Do not submit if you're not authorised to travel or are not available at those dates.
Any questions related to your submission may be addressed to events@etsi.org
Timelines:
- 23 January: deadline to submit your contribution(s)
- 23 January - 15 March: Programme Committee review, evaluation and selection of contributions
- Mid March: Speaker's notification
- End March: Programme online and registration opening
