Martin Ekerå

I am affiliated with KTH as a researcher on a 30% basis. Within the scope of my research, I focus on cryptology in general, and on quantum cryptanalysis and post-quantum secure cryptography in particular.

Several of the state-of-the-art high-level quantum algorithms for cryptanalysis of widely deployed commercial asymmetric cryptography — including but not limited to cryptosystems such as Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA) and protocols such as Diffie–Hellman — stem from my research. Said algorithms are in turn based on Shor's groundbreaking work from the mid-1990s.

A list of my publications may be found on my Google Scholar profile alongside various bibliometric indicators. Research software that I have developed or co-developed may be found on my GitHub profile.

I have served on a number of program committees; most recently those of Crypto 2026 and PQCrypto 2026. I have been a reviewer for IACR conferences such as Crypto and Eurocrypt, for PQCrypto, for FOCS and STOC, for SODA, for journals such as the Journal of Cryptology, and for a number of other journals, and conferences and workshops with proceedings. I am one of twelve researchers who have participated to all seven incarnations (in 2019–2025) of the study Quantum Threat Timeline Report regarding the quantum threat to cryptology. I have been invited four times in a row (the years 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025, respectively) to the quantum cryptanalysis seminar at Schloss Dagstuhl, and I am a co-organizer of the envisaged seminar in 2027.

During the summer of 2026, I will be a guest researcher at the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing at the University of California, Berkeley, USA. In 2027, I am also invited to be a guest researcher at the Simons Institute. I have previously participated in seminars in quantum cryptanalysis och quantum algorithms, and been on a panel, at the Simons Institute.

I will next speak publicly about my research at the two-day seminar Celebration of Complexity at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA).

Professional life

All in all, I have approximately 18 years of experience working as a cryptographer within the Swedish communications security (COMSEC) service. I currently serve as the chief cryptographer of the Swedish National Communications Security Authority (NCSA), a function within the Military Intelligence and Security Directorate (Must) of the Swedish Armed Forces. Must directs and coordinates the COMSEC service within the Swedish total defence, including the work on the so-called secure cryptographic functions that protect classified information. Must also has a range of other responsibilities within the areas of COMSEC and cryptography — both nationally, and within the EU and NATO.

I am an elected member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences (KKrVA).

The Chief of Defence has decided to decorate me with the medal of merit "För Försvarsmakten" in silver (FörFMSM) for cryptanalytical achievements.

Educational background

I hold an MSc in engineering physics with a specialization in computer science and discrete mathematics, and a PhD in computer science. Both degrees are from KTH. My advisor was Johan Håstad. Within the framework of my undergraduate degree, I conducted exchange studies at l'École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland.