Dr. Ali El Kaafarani is a mathematician turned cryptographer, blending academic rigour with entrepreneurial vision. From the lecture halls of Oxford to the frontier of quantum-era cybersecurity, his journey has been defined by a single mission: to future-proof the world’s digital foundations. With a PhD in cryptography and years of research at the University of Oxford and HP Labs, he founded PQShield in 2018, a spinout from Oxford’s Mathematical Institute, to build quantum-resistant cryptographic systems capable of defending against the most powerful computers yet to come.Today, as CEO of PQShield, he leads a team of world-class scientists and engineers shaping global standards and developing security solutions for governments, enterprises, and chipmakers.