Insider Brief:
- The energy sector must address quantum cybersecurity risks as they shift from theoretical to operational, particularly across long-lived infrastructure and increasingly digitized, interconnected grid systems.
- The Electric Power Research Institute and The Quantum Insider will host a webinar on April 21, 2026, examining how quantum threats are emerging in energy environments and what organizations can do now to prepare.
- The session will focus on practical pathways, including assessing risk in legacy systems, navigating long asset lifecycles, and translating quantum awareness into actionable security strategies.
- Register here to attend the webinar and learn how to move from awareness to implementation in securing energy infrastructure against quantum threats.
As the risks posed by quantum technologies turn from theoretical concern to operational concern, the energy sector must resolve how to secure infrastructure designed for decades-long lifecycles against a quickly changing cryptographic landscape.
Energy infrastructure operates across highly distributed, interdependent environments where downtime must be mitigated, if not eliminated. With increasing digitization of the grid and expanded attack surfaces, transitioning to quantum-resilient security is an emerging requirement.
With this in mind, The Quantum Insider, in partnership with EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute), will host an executive webinar examining how quantum cybersecurity risks are uniquely manifesting across energy systems and what organizations can do today to prepare.
The session is scheduled for April 21, 2026, and is designed for senior leaders navigating security, infrastructure, and innovation decisions in critical energy environments.
From Awareness to Action: Quantum Security in the Energy Sector
“Quantum Security and the Future of Energy Infrastructure” will explore how quantum threats intersect with operational technology, grid infrastructure, and long-term asset planning.
Rather than focusing solely on future cryptographic transitions, the discussion will also focus on present-day constraints and actionable pathways, including:
- Why energy infrastructure is uniquely exposed to quantum-enabled threats
- How long asset lifecycles and legacy systems complicate quantum readiness
- What practical steps utilities and partners can take today to assess and prioritize risk
- How industry initiatives, including EPRI’s Cyber Quantum Challenge and the Year of Quantum Security, are enabling real-world experimentation and solution development
Overall, the session shows how moving from high-level awareness of quantum risk to operational strategies can be implemented within existing systems.
Speakers and Industry Perspective
The webinar will moderated by Brian Lenahan and will feature practitioners working directly at the intersection of quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and energy systems, including:
- Dr. Kai Neuffer, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft
- Bryan Sacks, Executive AI & Data Leader, IBM
- Nathaniel Bender, Principal, Constellation Technology Ventures
- Jason Castro, Principal Technical Leader, Plant Reliability & Resilience, Nuclear Sector, EPRI
Why This Matters for Energy Leaders
As quantum capabilities advance, energy providers, operators, and technology partners face increasing pressure to evaluate long-term security risks embedded in today’s infrastructure decisions.
This briefing is designed for CISOs, CTOs, grid operators, OT security leaders, and innovation teams who need clarity on:
- Where quantum risk intersects with existing energy systems
- How to balance immediate operational constraints with long-term security planning
- What “quantum readiness” looks like in environments that cannot afford disruption
- How collaborative initiatives can accelerate progress without fragmented approaches
Event Details
- Title: Quantum Security and the Future of Energy Infrastructure
- Date: April 21, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
- Format: Live digital panel + audience Q&A
- Hosts: The Quantum Insider, in partnership with EPRI
- Audience: Energy providers, OT cybersecurity leaders, quantum and security practitioners
- Registration: Register for the event here
Supporting Industry Action: The Cyber Quantum Challenge
As part of this initiative, EPRI is also advancing its 2026 Cyber Quantum Challenge, a funded open innovation program focused on developing quantum-resilient and quantum-enabled cybersecurity solutions for the energy grid.
The webinar will provide additional context on how organizations can engage with the challenge and contribute to shaping the next generation of grid security solutions.
