Professor Liljana Babinkostova from the Department of Mathematics delivered a keynote address at the 23rd Annual Boise Information Systems Security Conference, held on March 10 at Boise State University, according to a Mar. 27 announcement. The event was organized by the Boise Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association, which is recognized as the main professional group for cybersecurity practitioners in Idaho’s Treasure Valley.
Babinkostova’s keynote focused on the urgent need for “quantum-resistant” security and highlighted significant technical challenges associated with transitioning existing digital infrastructure to meet new standards. She discussed how organizations must adapt their systems to defend against emerging threats posed by advancements in quantum computing.
In addition to her keynote, Babinkostova participated in a panel titled “Preparing for a Post‑Quantum World: What Organizations Are Really Doing in 2026.” She was joined by local chief information security officers and policy experts. The panel addressed practical lessons learned during this transition period, including cryptographic inventory challenges, unexpected system dependencies, testing difficulties, and discrepancies between organizational expectations and technical realities.
The conference provided an opportunity for professionals across Idaho’s Treasure Valley to share knowledge about current issues facing cybersecurity teams as they prepare for future technological changes. Discussions emphasized both theoretical developments and real-world experiences from those working directly with evolving security requirements.
As organizations continue to respond to new risks brought about by advances in technology such as quantum computing, events like this annual conference offer valuable forums for collaboration among experts.
