Summary
IBM and Cisco are proposing a concrete roadmap to turn stand-alone fault-tolerant quantum computers into a connected fabric. The plan targets a proof of concept linking multiple fault-tolerant machines within five years, a broader distributed network in the early 2030s, and a potential quantum computing internet in the late 2030s. This is presented as a system architecture with timelines, components, and clear research gaps, not just a marketing headline.
IBM frames fault-tolerant quantum computing as a milestone on the way to networked quantum capability. The path mirrors classical evolution from mainframes to clusters to the internet: first a credible single fault-tolerant system (IBM’s Starling), then short-reach links inside data centers, followed by campus and metro connectivity. The emphasis is on connected qubits, not only higher qubit counts.
For CISOs and quantum security leaders, the move from isolated quantum boxes to networked services will reshape risk models. Start planning for secure control planes, strong authentication and authorization for quantum jobs, key management across classical-quantum boundaries, integrity and telemetry for error-corrected links, and interconnect standards and monitoring. This is distinct from QKD-only networks and focuses on distributed computing, with timelines that align to PQC rollout and multi-year security roadmap planning through the 2030s.
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See the original article at: https://postquantum.com/industry-news/ibm-cisco-network-ftqc/