ORCA Computing, a quantum computing company, has announced a collaboration with ST Engineering to advance cybersecurity outcomes through the application of quantum technology to threat detection, specifically focusing on developing cyber anomaly detection using quantum machine learning (QML).
The collaboration aims to address the growing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats, which often overwhelm traditional detection methods due to the sheer scale and complexity of real-world data.
This partnership will leverage ORCA’s photonic quantum processors, enabling ST Engineering to implement quantum-accelerated anomaly detection models. These models are designed to identify subtle patterns of malicious behavior that classical systems might overlook.
The algorithm development will apply quantum-enhanced machine learning and optimization techniques to various cybersecurity scenarios, including intrusion detection, data exfiltration prevention, and real-time monitoring of large-scale networks. Running these applications on ORCA’s PT Series photonic quantum systems is expected to accelerate the transition of quantum cybersecurity from theoretical concepts to operational reality.
Richard Murray, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of ORCA Computing, stated that the collaboration “highlights how quantum acceleration is already being applied to practical, high-value use cases.” He added that combining ORCA’s processors with ST Engineering’s cybersecurity expertise “lays the groundwork for scalable, deployable and commercially relevant quantum solutions in anomaly detection and beyond.”
Vrizlynn Thing, Senior Vice President and Head of the Cybersecurity Strategic Technology Centre at ST Engineering, emphasized the company’s commitment to “staying ahead of evolving cyber threats by advancing next-generation security technologies.” She noted that they will initially evaluate quantum machine learning algorithms for detecting anomalies across diverse datasets and network architectures, with plans to expand quantum applications into broader security domains, reinforcing resilience in critical infrastructure, transportation, and defense systems.
ORCA Computing, headquartered in London, UK, with offices in the United States, specializes in full-stack photonic quantum computing systems. The company focuses on robust, high-performance, and data center-standard systems for machine learning, generative AI, and optimization workloads. ORCA has previously delivered ten on-premises quantum computers to clients such as the UK National Quantum Computing Centre, Montana State University, and the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center.
