Quantum-readiness for central banks and supervisors

12-13 February 2025, Basel, Switzerland

The BIS Innovation Hub Eurosystem Centre and the BIS Cyber Resilience Coordination Centre will hold a conference on quantum-readiness for central banks and supervisors. 

Conference background

In the era of rapid technological advancement, central banks and supervisory authorities face new and evolving risks and challenges. Quantum computing emerges as a transformative technology with significant implications for the financial sector. While quantum computing holds promise for various applications from optimisation problems to fraud detection, it also presents significant challenges that could affect the cyber security of financial systems.

The quantum-readiness conference for central banks and supervisors aims to address these emerging threats and prepare the financial sector for the possible disruptions caused by quantum computing. The conference will explore: 

• Quantum computing and cryptography: understanding how quantum computing may undermine current cryptographic methods, posing a threat to the security of financial transactions and data integrity. 

• Cyber security threats and solutions: evaluating the immediate and long-term cyber security risks posed by quantum computers and exploring quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions designed to safeguard sensitive information. 

Risk management: adapting existing risk management strategies to anticipate, assess and mitigate the potential threats of quantum computing

• Regulatory and supervisory strategies: discussing the current regulatory and supervisory initiatives addressing quantum challenges. 

• Collaborative defence: emphasising the importance of cross-institutional collaboration among financial system stakeholders to develop quantum-readiness strategies. 

This is an in-person event held at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel.