Quantum Computing Security & IP Protection: Risk Assessment for Companies Running Workloads on Cloud Quantum Platforms

R&D teams in pharma, chemicals, materials, and finance are starting to run proprietary simulations and optimization problems on cloud-based quantum computers. These systems are shared, remotely accessed, and built on new hardware and control stacks whose security has received far less scrutiny than classical computing. Research has already shown that quantum circuits can be reconstructed from power side channels in quantum computer controllers, that leftover state from previous users can leak through reset operations, and that untrusted cloud providers or co-tenants may be able to observe or tamper with computations. For companies whose quantum workloads encode valuable molecules, formulations, or models, that is an IP risk. This service helps you understand and manage it. I start by mapping your quantum use cases, providers, and data flows, then build a threat model covering the provider, co-tenants, the classical control and compilation stack, and data in transit and at rest. From there I evaluate platform and vendor security, identify where proprietary circuits, parameters, or results could be exposed, and recommend practical protections, including obfuscation and isolation approaches, contractual and vendor requirements, and internal governance for quantum projects. Deliverables include a written risk assessment, vendor evaluation criteria, and a briefing for R&D, security, and legal leadership. I can also provide technical due diligence on quantum hardware and software companies for investors and corporate development teams. Engagements are remote-first with optional on-site sessions in the Chicago area, begin with a free 30-minute discovery call, and are covered by NDA. A focused risk assessment typically takes [3–4] weeks, and due diligence reviews take [1–3] weeks. Ongoing advisory retainers are available. I take on [1–2] engagements at a time. This is a strong fit for R&D organizations piloting quantum computing, quantum hardware and cloud providers that want independent security review, and investors evaluating quantum companies. I am an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northwestern University, where I lead the Computer Architecture and Security Lab (CASLAB). My group’s research on quantum computer security includes the first demonstrations of power side-channel vulnerabilities in quantum computer controllers and attacks on quantum computer reset operations. I collaborate with Quantinuum on the security of ion-trap quantum computers, founded the Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Symposium, and have taught tutorials on quantum computing security at IEEE Quantum Week. I hold a PhD from Princeton and am an NSF CAREER award recipient.