The rapid evolution of cyber threats has rendered conventional security approaches inadequate for managing increasingly sophisticated risks. This study introduces a Quantum Machine Learning Cybersecurity Framework that leverages quantum computing and machine learning to enhance cybersecurity across multiple dimensions. The research employs a structured methodology, beginning with the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for secure key exchange and progressing through the deployment of Quantum Neural Networks (QNN) and Quantum Support Vector Machines (QSVM) for anomaly detection and adversarial threat management. The framework also incorporates Quantum Reinforcement Learning (QRL) for autonomous incident response, a Quantum Authentication module for securing identity verification using biometric and behavioral data, and a Policy Compliance Interface powered by Quantum Compliance Analyzers for regulatory adherence. Experimental results demonstrated substantial improvements in cybersecurity metrics, including a 96% accuracy in threat detection, a 28% reduction in incident response time, and a 96% success rate in compliance simulations. These findings underscore the framework's capacity to offer adaptive, scalable, and efficient cybersecurity solutions tailored to modern challenges. This study provides a significant step toward integrating quantum technologies into practical cybersecurity applications, paving the way for future innovations in intelligent, secure, and adaptable defense systems.

This thesis explores the integration of quantum computing into Machine Learning (ML), aiming to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of quantum-enhanced models compared to classical approaches. As quantum technologies continue to develop, they offer the potential for solving complex computational problems more efficiently, particularly in fields requiring high-dimensional data processing. A literature review is conducted to contextualize current advancements in Quantum Machine Learning, highlighting theoretical benefits and existing practical limitations. This work investigates whether quantum methods, specifically the Quantum Support Vector Classifier (QSVC), can provide measurable improvements over its classical counterpart. The QSVC, implemented using IBM’s Qiskit ML library, replaces traditional kernel functions with quantum kernels computed via quantum circuits and feature maps, embedding classical data into a Hilbert space. The experimental portion of this thesis compares classical and quantum models on two distinct datasets: one from the healthcare domain and another from particle physics. Various parameters are tested in a constrained grid search due to the high computational demands of quantum circuits. Results indicate that while quantum models are significantly more resource-intensive, they can achieve comparable or even improved performance on data that has more complex relations between their variables. However, scalability remains a major challenge. This work concludes that although QSVC does not yet consistently outperform classical models, it offers advantages in specific contexts and lays the groundwork for identifying future use cases where quantum computing may offer a practical advantage in ML.