Pasqal and KACST launch quantum cryptography research ahead of LEAP 2026

Riyadh — Pasqal and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology have signed a strategic research collaboration to develop quantum-safe cryptographic solutions for Saudi Arabia, the organizations said. Announced on World Quantum Day at the King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh, the multi-year program will pair Pasqal’s neutral-atom quantum computing technology and cloud services with the infrastructure of KACST’s National Center for Quantum Technologies to advance post-quantum security methods and, ultimately, bring commercial offerings to the local market. The news lands ahead of Pasqal CEO Dr. Wasiq Bokhari’s keynote at LEAP 2026, underscoring how quantum cybersecurity is moving onto the region’s main technology stage. The partners said the effort targets a growing need across government and financial sectors to prepare for a post-quantum environment, where today’s public-key systems could be vulnerable to future machines capable of breaking common cryptographic assumptions. By conducting the work at the National Center for Quantum Technologies in Riyadh, KACST and Pasqal aim to align research with operational requirements in the Kingdom and shorten the path from lab research to field validation. The collaboration will be anchored at KACST’s National Center for Quantum Technologies, which provides a centralized environment for research and testing. According to the announcement, Pasqal will contribute access to its neutral-atom systems and related cloud services, enabling teams to build, iterate and evaluate candidate quantum-safe approaches under controlled conditions before broader deployment. The partners framed the program as a multi-year effort focused on translating post-quantum cryptographic concepts into practical, verifiable solutions usable by institutions handling sensitive data. Neutral-atom platforms like Pasqal’s arrange arrays of atoms and control them with lasers for computation. While the collaboration is focused on cryptographic resilience rather than on near-term quantum advantage claims, access to such hardware and simulation via the cloud is intended to help researchers stress-test protocols and explore integration scenarios. In parallel, running the work through NCQT allows coordination with Saudi stakeholders who would ultimately adopt new standards, easing the transition from proof-of-concept to production. The organizations did not detail specific algorithms or deployment timelines beyond the multi-year framing. Instead, they positioned the program as an applied research pipeline designed to yield commercial quantum-safe offerings in Saudi Arabia. In that context, a key output will be demonstrating how new cryptographic components can be embedded within existing networks and services without undermining performance or reliability—an area where local testbeds and phased rollouts can mitigate operational risk. The KACST partnership builds on Pasqal’s recent activity in the Kingdom. The company has deployed a quantum computer at Aramco’s data center in Dhahran, a move it described as part of its expanding presence in Saudi Arabia. That effort, while distinct from the KACST cryptography program, signals a broader push to establish quantum infrastructure and expertise within the country. In aggregate, the initiatives suggest a two-track approach: operational exposure to quantum hardware on the one hand, and targeted cybersecurity research on the other. TechScoop analysis: For Saudi government entities and regulated industries, the appeal is straightforward. Quantum-safe cryptography represents a defensive measure against “store now, decrypt later” risks, where data intercepted today could be deciphered by future quantum machines. By situating development at NCQT and working with a commercial hardware provider, the Kingdom can align emerging standards with domestic requirements and build a talent base familiar with both research and implementation constraints. This local anchoring also supports continuity planning for critical infrastructure and public services that must maintain confidentiality and integrity over long timelines. Riyadh’s timing places the collaboration in the slipstream of LEAP 2026, where quantum and cybersecurity themes are expected to intersect with national digital transformation agendas. While the KACST–Pasqal announcement is research-led, framing it in proximity to a flagship technology gathering raises its profile with potential adopters and integrators across financial services, energy, and government technology communities. For banks and payment providers, the near-term value of the program will hinge on migration pathways. TechScoop analysis: Most institutions favor bolt-on or hybrid strategies that allow quantum-safe methods to run alongside current controls until standards mature. The KACST–Pasqal collaboration, as described, anticipates this reality by emphasizing cloud-based access and a research setting that can evaluate performance and interoperability.