Murthy Rallapalli
Dr. Rallapalli is a United States Fulbright Scholar and an IBM Quantum Ambassador, recognized for his deep expertise in quantum computing, cloud security, and information privacy. With a career spanning over 25 years, he has held senior leadership and distinguished technical roles at IBM, Honeywell Corporation, and Ernst & Young, leading major initiatives in cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, and emerging technologies.
At present, Dr. Rallapalli serves as an advisor to Guidehouse, focusing on advanced and emerging technologies such as quantum computing and next-generation cybersecurity solutions. He also holds a faculty appointment as Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity at the University of North Georgia in Atlanta, GA.
Through the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Program, Dr. Rallapalli has contributed globally—teaching and collaborating at Fulbright University Vietnam, and engaging in research initiatives in Iceland and Kosovo.
He holds a Ph.D. in Information Security and Privacy from Stevens Institute of Technology and a Quantum Computing certificate from MIT. A prolific contributor to the field, Dr. Rallapalli has authored numerous technical papers, published books, and holds multiple patents in data privacy and cybersecurity. His current research centers on quantum algorithms for optimization and the future of secure computing.
Outside his professional life, he enjoys exploring historical landmarks across the globe and playing pickleball at local parks.
Session
Quantum computing is poised to upend modern cryptography by breaking widely used public-key algorithms like RSA in a matter of minutes. Cyber adversaries are already “harvesting” encrypted data today with plans to decrypt it once quantum capabilities mature. This looming threat endangers everything from personal and financial data to military secrets and the digital signatures that underpin online trust. In response, academia and industry have joined forces with NIST to devise quantum-resistant algorithms and standards. NIST approved the first post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards for encryption and digital signatures in 2024, marking a pivotal step toward protecting vulnerable crypto assets before large-scale quantum computers arrive.
However, achieving post-quantum readiness is a complex, collaborative journey. Organizations must first identify which cryptographic assets and systems are at risk and prioritize them for migration. We present a technical framework for crypto agility and quantum-safe adoption, starting with a thorough cryptographic inventory to pinpoint vulnerable systems and to assess data at risk from “harvest-now, decrypt-later” scenarios. Building on NIST’s guidance, our approach emphasizes cross-sector collaboration in adopting PQC. We highlight applied research initiatives from global consortia to NIST’s National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence projects that unite researchers, industry practitioners, and government to develop practical quantum-safe solutions. By aligning these efforts with NIST’s PQC standards and guidelines, we provide forward-looking, hands-on strategies for academia and cybersecurity professionals to collaboratively safeguard assets and ensure a smooth transition to a quantum-safe future.