QSNS 2026

3rd Workshop on Quantum-Secure Networks and Systems

The third edition of QSNS workshop is again a joint initiative of the QUBIP and PQ-React projects, co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe framework programme on the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) of protocols, networks, and systems.
The development of quantum computers opens exciting new frontiers. At the same time, a cryptographically relevant quantum computer has the potential to break the foundations of current digital security. The global research and industry community is working on two complementary directions, (i) the definition of PQC algorithms, coordinated by NIST, and (ii) the transition of protocols, networks and systems to PQC.
The QSNS2026 workshop will address the most pressing cybersecurity challenges of the quantum era from an engineering perspective, with the aim of contributing to global efforts towards an agile, post-quantum or post-quantum/traditional hybrid and standards-based transition to PQC of the digital infrastructures we all use today.

Venue

QSNS2026 will be co-located with the 31st IEEE Symposium on Computers and Communications, June 23-26, 2026, Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal.

Important Dates

Workshop Paper Submission: March 15th, 2026
Author Notification: March 30th, 2026
Author Registration: April 15th, 2026 here the Registration Instructions
Camera-Ready: April 15th, 2026 here the Camera-Ready Submission Instructions
Workshop Event: June 23-26, 2026 (first or last day, to be defined)

The development of quantum computers opens exciting new frontiers. At the same time, a cryptographically relevant quantum computer has the potential to break the foundations of current digital security. The global research and industry community is working on two complementary directions, (i) the definition of PQC algorithms, coordinated by NIST, and (ii) the transition of protocols, networks and systems to PQC.
The QSNS2026 workshop will address the most pressing cybersecurity challenges of the quantum era from an engineering perspective, with the aim of contributing to global efforts towards an agile, post-quantum or post-quantum/traditional hybrid and standards-based transition to PQC of the digital infrastructures we all use today.

QSNS2026 encourages multidisciplinary perspectives and welcomes papers on topics that include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Design and/or analysis of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms
  • Evolution of standard network and communication protocols to achieve PQ security
  • Cryptographic agility in systems and protocols, to easily support different kinds of PQC algorithms
  • Design and implementation of hybrid cryptographic schemas (post-quantum / traditional)
  • Design and implementation of hybrid QKD / PQC solutions
  • System and application support for PQC
  • Hardware and/or software support for PQC

The QSNS2026 workshop organisers invite original research papers that have not been previously published and are not currently under review for publication elsewhere.

Submitted papers must be no longer than six (6) pages, including references, and must follow the IEEE proceedings guidelines. IEEE provides Manuscript Templates for Conference Proceedings. All accepted papers will be published as part of the IEEE ISCC 2026 Workshop Proceedings in the IEEE Digital Library. The IEEE ISCC Proceedings have been indexed in the past by ISI, dblp and Scopus. This makes the IEEE ISCC Workshops publication venues with very high visibility and impact in both Computer and Communications areas.

A “Best Paper Award” certificate will be given to the author(s) of a paper presented at the workshop, selected by the chairs based on the scientific significance, originality, and outstanding technical quality of the paper, as also assessed by the evaluations of the members of the Technical Program Committee (TPC).

Submissions should be uploaded to EDAS (link to appear soon) by the submission deadline. Each submission will be reviewed by at least three members of the TPC. One author per accepted paper must attend the workshop event and register on the IEEE ISCC 2026 website.

Workshop Co-Chairs

Prof. Antonio Lioy, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Dr. Andrea Vesco, LINKS Foundation, Italy

Technical Program Committee

Davide Margaria, LINKS Foundation, Italy
…
To Be Defined

Publicity Chair

Davide Margaria, LINKS Foundation, Italy

To Be Defined