Bernard Duncker, Professor, Associate Vice-President, Research and International, University of Waterloo
Farhaz Thobani, President, Kyndryl Canada
Sachio Iwamoto, Principal Architect, Kyndryl Research
Ashley Hannon, Associate Director, Corporate Research Partnerships, University of Waterloo
Anindya Sen, Professor, Interim Executive Director of the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute, University of Waterloo
TORONTO, September 24, 2024 — Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, today announced it is collaborating with the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI) at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, to support critical research related to protecting and preserving data privacy and security.
With the increasing use of data-driven technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things, there has also been a significant rise in data breaches, cyberattacks, and identity theft. And while quantum computing is still in its infancy, it poses a serious risk to the security of current communication systems, which rely on encryption methods that can be easily broken by quantum algorithms.
In response to these pressing and rapidly evolving threats, the research is expected to focus on three key areas:
- Decentralized identity and access management that allows people and things to easily, privately, and securely share their credentials without relying on a central authority or intermediary. These technologies, like blockchain, can provide users with greater control and ownership of their data to reduce the risks and misuse by third parties.
- Privacy-enhancing cryptography that allows computations performed on data to remain encrypted. This means that sensitive information can be processed with maximum user privacy protection and in compliance with global regulations.
- Quantum-safe communication that allows information to be exchanged securely without interception or tampering by quantum computers. For example, satellites can enable quantum-safe communication over long distances, ensuring future-proof data protection while helping to maintain regulatory compliance and expanding overall trust.
“Kyndryl values the importance of academic collaborations to drive innovation and create real impact through research and development,” said Antoine Shagoury, Chief Technology Officer, Kyndryl. “The University of Waterloo’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute has made significant strides in these important areas and our work together reflects our shared commitment to addressing industrial and societal challenges around information security and human privacy.”
“Indeed, collaboration between industry and academia is key for developing comprehensive solutions to ensuring the cyber safety of Canadians. Interdisciplinary research at CPI is unique among Canadian universities and working with companies, such as Kyndryl, enables necessary research into identifying and mitigating information security risks, while facilitating the recruitment of promising graduate students,” said Dr. Anindya Sen, professor and interim executive director of the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute. “A mutual commitment to elevate cutting-edge research technologies aligns with the University of Waterloo’s Global Futures vision, a strategic initiative dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing challenges like cybersecurity and data privacy.”
About CPI
The University of Waterloo CPI was founded in 2018 to bring together experts from various fields to collaborate on research and training in cybersecurity and privacy. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, the institute boasts more than 70+ diverse faculty members from 16 departments and schools across all faculties. With a vision to be internationally recognized as a leading research institute, CPI’s technical expertise in cybersecurity ranks amongst the top 15 in the world.
About Kyndryl
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, serving thousands of enterprise customers in more than 60 countries. The company designs, builds, manages and modernizes the complex, mission-critical information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.