FAU’s Robert Loredo Launches New Book on Preparing for the Quantum Era

Robert Loredo

Robert Loredo, executive director of Florida Atlantic's Center for Quantum Technologies. (Photo by Alex Dolce)

By gisele galoustian | 9/22/2026

As quantum computing moves from the research laboratory into business, government and other real-world applications, Florida Atlantic University quantum technology leader Robert Loredo is helping organizations understand what it will take to prepare for the emerging era of quantum advantage with the launch of his new book, “Quantum Readiness for Leaders: Build Quantum Strategies, Teams, Security, and Ecosystems to Lead in the Era of Quantum Advantage.”

Published by Packt Publishing, the book provides executives, technology leaders and organizations with a practical framework for understanding and acting on the opportunities and challenges presented by quantum technology. Rather than focusing solely on the technical mechanics of quantum computing, Loredo examines what organizations need to do to become quantum-ready – from developing strategies and building specialized teams to establishing partnerships, protecting data, preparing for post-quantum cybersecurity threats and identifying opportunities for quantum-enhanced applications.

The book arrives at a pivotal moment for FAU and for the rapidly developing quantum technology field. Loredo was named executive director of FAU’s Center for Quantum Technologies in July, where he is leading the university’s expanding efforts to integrate quantum research, education, workforce development and industry partnerships. FAU has established itself as Florida’s first quantum university with a dedicated quantum computer on its Boca Raton campus.

“I wrote Quantum Readiness for Leaders because after years of working with organizations and leaders around quantum technology, I kept hearing the same question: ‘What is quantum and where should I be investing?’” said Loredo. “The technology is advancing rapidly, but being ready for the quantum era requires much more than understanding algorithms or buying access to a quantum computer. It requires strategy, talent, security, partnerships and a clear understanding of where quantum can create meaningful value. My goal is to give leaders a practical roadmap they can use now, so they can move from simply watching the quantum revolution unfold to preparing their organizations to participate in it.”

Drawing on 25 years of experience spanning IBM, academia and enterprise innovation, Loredo translates a highly complex and rapidly evolving field into strategies that business and technology leaders can apply. The book explores quantum computing alongside quantum sensing, quantum networking and quantum cryptography, while examining the convergence of quantum technologies with artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. It also addresses quantum economics and investment, workforce development, organizational governance, prototyping and proof-of-concept development, data strategy, post-quantum cryptography and the broader quantum ecosystem.

“The need for quantum readiness is not simply about anticipating a future technological breakthrough. It’s about recognizing that organizations must begin developing the expertise, infrastructure and partnerships required to take advantage of quantum technologies as they mature,” said Loredo.

The book provides frameworks for evaluating quantum opportunities, building quantum teams, developing partnerships and preparing security architectures for a world in which quantum computing could fundamentally change how complex computational problems are addressed.

“Robert’s new book provides an important roadmap for leaders who are trying to understand how to navigate the quantum era and translate this rapidly evolving technology into meaningful research and innovation,” said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., FAU vice president for research. “That vision aligns closely with what we are building at Florida Atlantic. Through our Center for Quantum Technologies, our partnership with D-Wave Quantum, Inc. and direct access to quantum computing hardware, we are creating an environment where researchers can explore new applications, students can gain hands-on experience, and industry and academic partners can work together to advance the field.”

For FAU, the combination of Loredo’s leadership, the new Center for Quantum Technologies, the planned Advantage2™ annealing quantum computing system and partnerships with industry represents a broader strategy to establish the university as a national center for quantum education, research and applied innovation. The university is positioning quantum computing not as a standalone technology initiative, but as an interdisciplinary research platform that can connect computer science, engineering, science, business and other fields and disciplines.

Loredo’s message to leaders is straightforward: quantum readiness cannot begin after the technology has arrived.

“Quantum readiness is ultimately about people,” Loredo said. “I wrote this book to help leaders understand how to plan – by building the right teams, developing partnerships and identifying where quantum can create meaningful value. The time to start preparing is now.”

Quantum Readiness for Leaders offers a practical guide for business, technology and organizational leaders navigating the opportunities and challenges of quantum technology, from strategy and workforce development to cybersecurity and emerging applications.

Published in late August, the book is available from Packt Publishing in paperback and eBook formats.

Book Cover

-FAU-