On October 20, 2021, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) published a White Paper on Quantum Information Technology, produced by its Market Strategy Board (MSB). The paper addressed quantum technologies and the role of standardization, providing an overview of the field’s development from the perspectives of research, technology, industry, and market readiness.
Developed by a project team directed by Professor Dongsub Kim of Mokpo National University (Korea), with contributions from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), the white paper examined standardization readiness and its link to technology readiness levels. It outlined challenges for effective standardization of quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing.
Among its findings, the paper noted that quantum technologies are at different levels of maturity. Quantum key distribution (QKD) already offered well-established commercial solutions, while quantum computing remained further from mainstream deployment. The paper was made available as a free download.