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Communication, Alvarado explains, is already vital 鈥� but in the age of quantum computing, it will become absolutely critical.

Quantum machines could, in theory, break today鈥檚 encryption methods, yet they also offer entirely new ways to make information exchange virtually unhackable. For Defence 鈥� and really for any organization that deals with sensitive data 鈥� that鈥檚 a game-changer. Alvarado knows this field inside out.

Within the Information and Communication Theory Lab (ICT Lab), his group focuses on the theoretical foundations of modern and future communication systems, operating at the intersection of communication theory, information theory, signal processing, and optical communication.

Research for Defence

Alvarado鈥檚 team conducts research for the Ministry of Defence. For one of their projects, they entered the competitive Purple NECtar 2025 Quantum Challenges call 鈥� and came out on top, securing the funding.

鈥淔or eight months, we worked on so-called quantum error-correcting codes for quantum computers,鈥� Alvarado explains. 鈥淭hese computers rely on physical systems 鈥� atoms, ions, or photons 鈥� that act as qubits. They鈥檙e susceptible to noise and easily disturbed. The most promising approach to addressing this is through quantum error-correcting codes. We developed algorithms to detect and correct such errors and successfully implemented them in hardware.鈥�

Next steps

In early November, his group presented their results at Purple NECtar X 鈥� Innovation in Defence, before an audience of four thousand. In that event, they learned that their research will receive a follow-up funding of 鈧�250,000 as part of a consortium led by Quix Quantum. 鈥淚 am very pleased to see that the research we are doing at 黑料福利网 is valued by Defense,鈥� says Alvarado.

Collaboration with intelligence services

Alvarado also supervised two master鈥檚 students who completed internships at the Joint Sigint Cyber Unit () 鈥� a collaboration between the General Intelligence and Security Service of the Netherlands (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD). For obvious reasons, the details of his students鈥� work are confidential.

Only Dutch nationals are eligible for a JSCU internship, following an extensive and rigorous security screening. 鈥淚nternships in industry also come with safety rules,鈥� Alvarado notes, 鈥渂ut this is on a completely different level.鈥�

鈥淚t was a valuable collaboration that allowed us to apply our expertise 鈥� and for the students, it was a truly unique experience.鈥�

No hesitation

Alvarado never questioned whether to collaborate with Defence. 鈥淭he more I work with them, the clearer it becomes how important it is that they have access to our knowledge 鈥� that they understand what universities can contribute to our country.鈥�