Quantum computing company ORCA Computing is collaborating with ST Engineering to advance cybersecurity outcomes by applying quantum technology to threat detection. The partners' project focuses on developing cyber anomaly detection using quantum machine learning (QML) to identify and mitigate malicious activity in complex digital environments.

The collaboration leverages ORCA’s photonic quantum processors, enabling ST Engineering to deploy quantum-accelerated anomaly detection models that can identify subtle patterns of malicious behavior that would otherwise be missed by classical systems.

The algorithm development applies quantum-enhanced machine learning and optimization techniques to cybersecurity scenarios such as intrusion detection, data exfiltration prevention, and real-time monitoring of large-scale networks. Running these applications on ORCA’s PT Series photonic quantum systems will potentially shorten timelines for industrial relevance.

ORCA Computing is a 2019 spinout of the University of Oxford, cofounded by Ian Walmsley, Richard Murray, and Josh Nunn. The company acquired the Integrated Photonics Division of GXC, a provider of private cellular network solutions, last year, and entered into a partnership with Vodafone this summer.