BTQ Technologies Announces Memorandum of Understanding with IRCS Marking First Steps Toward Applying Quantum Security to AI Models

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

• BTQ Technologies Corp has forged a strategic research partnership with South Korea's International Research Institute for Cyber Security (IRCS).
• This partnership is set to enhance the development of post-quantum cryptography, specifically focusing on SOLMAE signature scheme and other lattice-based cryptosystems, thereby expanding BTQ's influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
• The use of SOLMAE for signing datasets ensures the integrity of the data used in training AI models, bolstering the trustworthiness of the process.

VANCOUVER, BC, July 4, 2023 /CNW/ - BTQ Technologies Corp. (the "Company" or "BTQ") (NEO: BTQ) (FSE: NG3) (OTCQX: BTQQF), a global quantum technology company focused on securing mission-critical networks, is pleased to announce it has entered into a Research Partnership (the "Partnership") with the International Research Institute for Cyber Security ("IRCS").

This strategic partnership, marked by a jointly signed MOU, aims to further the development of post-quantum cryptography. Particularly, both BTQ and IRCS are keen to delve into the research and application of Secure algorithm for Long?term Message Authentication and Encryption (SOLMAE), a signature scheme developed by IRCS and submitted to the Korean standardization competition in Nov. 2022, organized by the Quantum Resistant Cryptography Research Center. This partnership will also explore other lattice-based cryptosystems.

SOLMAE is a signature scheme that verifies the authenticity of digital information to ensure the information is genuine and hasn't been tampered with. SOLMAE offers versatile capabilities for authentication and securing communication channels in retail and commercial industry, such as for those leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). By applying SOLMAE signatures to AI models, it becomes possible to ensure that the models have not been tampered with or modified, providing assurance that the models are genuine and trustworthy. Since AI systems heavily rely on training data, SOLMAE can also be used to establish the integrity and provenance of training data. By signing datasets with SOLMAE, it becomes possible to verify that the data used for training AI models has not been tampered with or modified, ensuring the trustworthiness of the training process. SOLMAE can also be used to detect adversarial attacks aimed at manipulating AI systems by introducing subtle perturbations to input data. SOLMAE signatures can be used to detect such attacks by identifying any modifications or tampering attempts through the signature verification process.

"This collaboration with IRCS aligns perfectly with our mission to counter the security threats posed by quantum computers. We are excited about the potential of SOLMAE and other lattice-based cryptosystems to redefine the landscape of cybersecurity. We look forward to this journey of shared growth and exploration." - Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO & Chairman of BTQ

"It is both a pleasure and an honor to be able to work with IRCS and its President Prof Kwangjo Kim. As a world-renowned cryptographer, Prof Kim was elected as an International Association for Cryptographic Research (IACR) Fellow in 2017 in recognition of his work and contribution on cryptographic design, education, and leadership. I look forward to a closer collaboration on lattice-based cryptography with IRCS to further advance the state of the art in post-quantum cryptography" - Chen-Mou Cheng, Chief Cryptography Officer of BTQ

"With the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, IRCS and BTQ will build on their global research collaboration on SOLMAE-based quantum-resistant cryptography theory and application to pioneer a new quantum cyber infrastructure that is secure against future quantum computer attacks. We believe that IRCS and BTQ will make a leading contribution to building the foundation of a new quantum cybersecurity infrastructure that is secure against quantum computer attacks" - Professor Emeritus Kwangjo Kim, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology ("KAIST")

The IRCS performs cyber security academic research, publication, education and technical consultation in South Korea and globally. The company hosts and operates internationally renowned cyber security conferences in Korea.

BTQ was founded by a group of post-quantum cryptographers with an interest in addressing the urgent security threat posed by large-scale universal quantum computers. With the support of leading research institutes and universities, BTQ is combining software and hardware to safeguard critical networks using unique post-quantum services and solutions.

Connect with BTQ: Website | LinkedIn

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Olivier Roussy Newton
CEO & Chairman

Neither the NEO nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

Certain statements herein contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the business plans of the Company, including with respect to its research partnerships, and anticipated markets in which the Company may be listing its common shares. Forward-looking statements or information often can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan" or "may" and the variations of these words are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information.

The Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the development of post-quantum algorithms and quantum vulnerabilities, and the quantum computing industry generally. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied, by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include risks relating to: the availability of financing for the Company; business and economic conditions in the post-quantum and encryption computing industries generally; the speculative nature of the Company's research and development programs; the supply and demand for labour and technological post-quantum and encryption technology; unanticipated events related to regulatory and licensing matters and environmental matters; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting blockchains); risks related to the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, its impact on general economic conditions, the ability to obtain financing as required, and causing potential delays to research and development activities; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE BTQ Technologies Corp.