SandboxAQ appoints ex-NSA official as public sector advisor
SandboxAQ has tapped Teresa Shea, a 32-year veteran of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to become a senior advisor to the company’s Global Public Sector team, a move that comes as urgency to adopt quantum technologies, particularly post-quantum cryptography (PQC), has been increasing among governments around the world.
For example, in the U.S. the Biden administration and federal government agencies such as the NSA have been increasing focus on the need to protect against cybersecurity threats posed by quantum computers. Earlier this month, the White House issued a National Cybersecurity Strategy that, among other things, set a course for PQC deployment, a move that came after the late 2022 signing of the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act into law.
This kind of activity, not just in the U.S. but around the world, is increasing the likelihood that the public sector market will be an critically important source of early revenue for quantum start-ups offering PQC and other quantum security technologies. As this happens, those quantum start-ups are heavily recruiting advisors and executives with government experience to help them get a foot in the door to pursue these opportunities.
For Shea’s part, she spent 32 years at the NSA, eventually rising to the position of Director of Signals Intelligence. She also worked as the Vice President of Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) within Raytheon Intelligence and Space. The CODEX business is focused on providing cybersecurity capabilities for offense, defense, and security initiatives for both the commercial and public sector. Shea also served as Executive Vice President of Technology and director of Cyber-Reboot at In-Q-Tel, the venture capital firm with strong ties to the Central Intelligence Agency. In-Q-Tel has invested in several quantum companies, including SandboxAQ, Q-CTRL, and others.
“As a senior advisor to SandboxAQ, I am passionate about dedicating my time and expertise to organizations that are securing our nation and our allies,” Shea said. “SandboxAQ’s technology is dual-use with applications for national defense as well as strengthening security in critical industries such as banking, telecom, and energy.”
“Teresa is recognized within the defense and intelligence communities as a trusted, mission-focused, and creative leader,” said Jen Sovada, Global Public Sector President at SandboxAQ. “We are honored to have her join our team and we will benefit from her expertise, particularly in the areas of quantum-resistant cryptography and cybersecurity to safeguard sensitive national security data.”
Shea joins a long list of SandboxAQ Global Public Sector advisors with impressive backgrounds, including the Honorable Susan M. Gordon, former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence; Adm. John M. Richardson, former Chief of Naval Operations; Adm. Michael S. Rogers, former commander of U.S. Cyber Command and NSA director; Michael Brown, co-founder and former CTO of ISARA Corporation; and Taher Elgamal, former Salesforce Security CTO and renowned cryptographer.
Dan O’Shea has covered telecommunications and related topics including semiconductors, sensors, retail systems, digital payments and quantum computing/technology for over 25 years.
