We actively maintain and provide security updates for the following versions of Quantum Computing 101:

Important: Quantum Computing 101 is designed as an educational platform. The examples and implementations are optimized for learning rather than production security. Please consider the following:

• All examples are designed for local simulation
• No sensitive data processing in standard examples
• Focus on quantum algorithm education
• Safe for classroom and personal learning environments

• Examples are not hardened for production environments
• Cloud platform examples require your own API credentials
• Real quantum hardware access uses your own accounts
• Some examples demonstrate cryptographic concepts for educational purposes only

Scope: Examples in Module 7 demonstrate IBM Quantum and AWS Braket integration

Security Considerations:

• API keys and tokens should never be committed to version control
• Use environment variables or secure credential storage
• Follow cloud provider security best practices
• Monitor usage to prevent unexpected charges

Safe Usage:

# Good: Use environment variables
export IBM_QUANTUM_TOKEN="your_token_here"
python module7_hardware/01_ibm_quantum_access.py

# Bad: Never hardcode credentials
# token = "your_actual_token"  # Don't do this!

Scope: Examples may create temporary files and save visualizations

Security Considerations:

• Files are created in current directory by default
• Some examples may download small datasets
• Visualization files (PNG, PDF) are saved locally

Safe Usage:

• Run examples in dedicated directories
• Review file outputs periodically
• Use --output-dir parameter when available

Scope: Cloud platform examples and potential package updates

Security Considerations:

• IBM Quantum and AWS Braket examples make authenticated API calls
• Package managers (pip) may download dependencies
• Quantum hardware access requires internet connectivity

Safe Usage:

• Use secure networks for quantum cloud access
• Keep dependencies updated
• Review network activity if running in sensitive environments

Scope: Module 8 includes quantum cryptography demonstrations

Security Considerations:

• Examples are for educational purposes only
• Not suitable for actual cryptographic applications
• Demonstrate concepts rather than secure implementations

Educational Context:

• Quantum key distribution (QKD) examples show protocols
• Post-quantum cryptography examples demonstrate concepts
• Not intended for securing real communications

If you discover a security vulnerability, please report it responsibly:

• Email: aicomputing101@gmail.com
• Subject: "Security Vulnerability Report"
• Include: Detailed description, steps to reproduce, potential impact

• Use GitHub's Security Advisory feature for private reporting
• This allows coordinated disclosure and tracking

Good Security Reports Include:

• Clear description of the vulnerability
• Steps to reproduce the issue
• Potential impact assessment
• Suggested mitigation if known
• Your environment details (OS, Python version, etc.)

Example Report:

Subject: Security Vulnerability Report

Description: 
API credentials are logged in verbose mode in module7_hardware/01_ibm_quantum_access.py

Steps to Reproduce:
1. Set IBM_QUANTUM_TOKEN environment variable
2. Run: python 01_ibm_quantum_access.py --verbose
3. Observe token appears in console output

Potential Impact:
- Credential exposure in logs
- Possible unauthorized account access

Suggested Fix:
- Mask credentials in verbose output
- Use logging levels to control sensitive information

The following are not security vulnerabilities for our educational context:

• ❌ Quantum algorithm demonstrations: Educational implementations aren't production-ready
• ❌ Simulation limitations: Classical simulators have known constraints
• ❌ Academic algorithm details: We implement textbook versions for learning
• ❌ Performance issues: Educational code prioritizes clarity over optimization
• ❌ Missing production features: Error handling may be simplified for learning

• 24-hour acknowledgment: We'll confirm receipt within 24 hours
• 1-week initial assessment: Initial impact analysis within one week
• Coordinated disclosure: We'll work with you on appropriate disclosure timing
• Public credit: Security researchers will be credited (unless they prefer anonymity)

1. Report received: Acknowledgment sent within 24 hours
2. Investigation: 1-7 days for initial assessment
3. Fix development: Timeline depends on severity and complexity
4. Testing: Verify fix doesn't break educational functionality
5. Release: Security fix released with appropriate severity level
6. Disclosure: Public disclosure after fix is available

• Run examples in isolated directories
• Use virtual environments for Python dependencies
• Keep Qiskit and other packages updated
• Don't share API credentials or tokens
• Use version control for your modifications (exclude credentials)

# Create .env file (add to .gitignore)
echo "IBM_QUANTUM_TOKEN=your_token" > .env
echo ".env" >> .gitignore

# Use in examples
source .env
python module7_hardware/01_ibm_quantum_access.py

• Use sandboxed environments for student access
• Provide shared credentials through secure channels
• Monitor cloud usage to prevent unexpected costs
• Regular security updates and reviews

• Network segmentation for quantum cloud access
• Regular dependency scanning and updates
• Log monitoring for unusual activity
• Backup and recovery procedures

We regularly monitor our dependencies for security issues using:

• GitHub Security Advisories
• Dependabot alerts
• Manual security reviews

• Security updates are applied promptly
• Breaking changes are tested against all examples
• Release notes include security-relevant changes

• Qiskit: Primary quantum computing framework
• NumPy/SciPy: Scientific computing (potential for numerical vulnerabilities)
• Matplotlib: Visualization (generally low risk)
• Requests: HTTP library for cloud access (monitor for vulnerabilities)

• Credential exposure
• Arbitrary code execution
• Data exfiltration

• Information disclosure
• Denial of service
• Privilege escalation

• Minor information leaks
• Performance issues
• Educational content accuracy

1. Immediate: Disable affected functionality if critical
2. Short-term: Develop and test fix
3. Long-term: Improve security practices and testing

• Primary Contact: aicomputing101@gmail.com
• GitHub Security: Use repository security advisories
• Response Time: 24-hour acknowledgment commitment

• Questions: Use GitHub Discussions for non-security questions
• Bug Reports: Use GitHub Issues for non-security bugs
• Educational Support: aicomputing101@gmail.com

We believe in responsible disclosure and appreciate security researchers who:

• Report vulnerabilities privately first
• Allow reasonable time for fixes
• Don't exploit vulnerabilities maliciously
• Help improve security for the entire quantum computing education community

Thank you for helping keep Quantum Computing 101 secure for everyone! 🔒🚀⚛️