My name is Eric Ye. I work for Cryptsoft as a software engineer based at Cryptsoft’s headquarters in Brisbane, Australia. My role is to develop, maintain and support Cryptsoft’s KMIP and PKCS#11 SDKs and assist our Licensees as they build products with our SDKs that almost exclusively use the OpenSSL crypto library. When Tim Hudson (OpenSSL’s early co-founder; President of the OpenSSL Corporation; Founder and CTO of Cryptsoft), encouraged me to submit a speaker proposal for the OpenSSL conference in Prague, I jumped at the opportunity.
The OpenSSL conference was held in Prague from 7 to 9 October 2025. This was my opportunity to present in the field of Cryptography and Cybersecurity. The title of my presentation was “Post-Quantum Ready: Integrating OpenSSL, Bouncy Castle, and QKD via KMIP for Future-Proof Key Management”. It was about implementing open standards into QKD infrastructure to ensure interoperability and compatibility with the current system.
My Presentation
My presentation was on the second day of the conference — my first conference, and my first time presenting at one.
It is about my turn to be on the podium, and I was nervous. Tim offered some support with a reassuring handshake. Then, a mature, kind gentleman noticed my stress. He gently patted my back and said:
“Kid, you look stressed. Don’t worry about it. I know Tim, and there’s a good reason why he asked you to present. You’re going to do well — he wouldn’t have brought you here if he didn’t believe you could do it.” and he introduced me to the audience.
Later, I found out he was the CTO and founder of a successful, publicly traded network security company.
That moment reminded me of something simple but powerful: Kindness can come from anyone, anywhere, at this conference.
The moment I stood on the stage, I knew my preparation had truly paid off. During the 30-minute talk, my words flowed naturally — a stark contrast to earlier experiences, where anxiety would leave my mind blank and my delivery on autopilot. I am genuinely pleased with the huge improvement I’ve made in my public speaking skills.
So, what was my speech about?
It was focused on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which represents a promising leap forward in secure communications. QKD leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to establish unconditionally secure keys, offering a potential solution to the threats posed by emerging quantum computers.
However, deploying QKD in the real world comes with challenges. Organisations need to ensure interoperability with existing cryptographic libraries and key management systems. In my talk, I shared our experiences using OpenSSL and Bouncy Castle with QKD systems through standardised protocols, and how to securely manage and distribute keys using the KMIP (Key Management Interoperability Protocol) standard.
You can learn more about my talk here: Eric Ye - Post-Quantum Ready: Integrating OpenSSL, Bouncy Castle, and QKD via KMIP for Future-Proof Key Management (PDF)
I want to use this opportunity to offer my gratitude to Tim Hudson, the Cryptsoft Team, friends and everyone who showed their kindness and generously offered their time and help during my preparation for the conference. The effort you invested was not wasted, and we together have made a successful conference debut.
Night Cruise
The evening of the second day of the conference, we took a cruise on the Vltava River through the old town of Prague, where we savoured beautiful scenery, enjoyed fine wine, and — most importantly — immersed ourselves in thought-sparkling conversation. The bonds between us deepened when someone suggested a friendly contest: who could recall the most OpenSSL commands? What made it especially fun was the mix of participants — veterans who have used OpenSSL for 25 years or more, and people like me who had only recently entered that world.
You have to realise that some OpenSSL commands that were written and used in someone’s dormitory at college long ago are still valid and in active use today, and now that someone has become a senior engineer or even a CTO. People are emotional, as OpenSSL is not just a crypto toolkit, but part of their career and part of their life.
As the cruise ship drifted silently along the Vltava River at night, I felt a deep sense of calm wash over me. The water mirrored the warm glow of the city lights, rippling softly beneath the arches of Charles Bridge. Along the riverbank, ancient stone buildings stood in quiet majesty, their façades whispering the secrets and stories of centuries past. Each shadow and reflection seemed alive, carrying the echoes of those who had walked these streets long before. In that stillness, I thought to myself: OpenSSL is like these timeless structures — enduring, steadfast, and ever-writing its own story, leaving a mark for all who pass by, whether for a moment or a lifetime. It’s the fundamental piece of today’s internet security, and will always have its influence for many years to come.
Another interesting conversation happened on the boat, between me and an engineer from another country. After exchanging thoughts, we reached this conclusion: there’s no fundamental difference between people in terms of their culture and national personality. They all have interesting histories, exotic and sometimes challenging food, parents are demanding, schools are hard and competitive, and “interesting” car drivers… etc. No offence was taken by anyone, and everyone is having a good time. We should hold back our prejudiced thoughts, as we are the same people.
Late-night Concert
After we returned from the river cruise, a few of us gathered in the hotel’s lounge area next to the bar. Beneath the grand spiral staircase stood a beautiful grand piano, gleaming softly under the warm lights.
At first, it was quiet — then I noticed a small group of people, phones in hand like torches, circling around the piano. Curiosity turned into music. Within an hour, they had opened the lid, taken their seats, and begun to play.
The melodies drew people in. One by one, more attendees joined, forming an impromptu choir of cybersecurity professionals — engineers, researchers, and developers, united not by code, but by rhythm.
The night reached its crescendo when someone began to play Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way.” Voices rose together, filling the room with warmth and laughter, followed by the nostalgic “My Heart Will Go On” and the soulful “New York State of Mind.”
What happened that night was simply magical — one of those rare moments in life that feels as if it belongs in a movie, where strangers become friends, music turns a conference into something unforgettable, and people of all ages turning into teenagers like back in college.
I managed to get myself to sleep at 5 AM, waking up just before moderating at the conference at 9 AM.
Andrew Dinh
“So, what is the meaning of your life?” I asked. “To have fun,” Andrew responded instantly — without even pausing to think.
Andrew is an interesting person. He’s a software engineer working for OpenSSL, and apparently one of the youngest members of the team. I connected with him early on because we’re around the same age and share a similar background. Usually, when I ask someone a “meaning of life” question, I expect a break from an intense conversation. Most people go quiet, lost in thought. But not Andrew — he answered straightaway, and that caught me off guard.
“I believe in death,” he continued, “and you just gotta enjoy life before you die.”
Andrew grew up in an Asian immigrant household. Like many of us, he studied hard, played piano, got into a top university, and landed a dream job at Apple right after graduation. “Your parents must be so proud,” I told him, half joking but also a little envious of his success.
But to my surprise, he smiled and said he quit Apple after just one year. The pay was great, the job was prestigious, but he felt unfulfilled. So he packed his bags, travelled the world, and decided to pursue happiness on his own terms. He even keeps a list — a personal bucket list — of things he wants to do and experience before he dies. When I told him stories about the Cryptsoft farm – Kedesh where OpenSSL gathered in Regional Queensland, Australia, for two critical face-to-face meetings. After hearing those stories, Andrew added operating an Excavator and a Bobcat to his long list.
“Back then,” he told me, “I thought that was it — I’d thrown away my career, and I’d never find another job.”
But fate had other plans. While on the road, he came across a job posting from OpenSSL Corporation, one of the most respected names in cybersecurity. They were hiring engineers. He applied, fully expecting nothing to come of it, and got the job.
Now, Andrew continues his journey with OpenSSL Corporation, a company that not only values his technical skills but also understands his life philosophy. They’ve given him the freedom to keep exploring — both the digital world of code and the real world beyond it.
Andrew’s story reminds me that sometimes, the meaning of life sometimes isn’t about success, fame, prestige or financial security — it’s about living fully, on your own terms, achieving your personal goals, before time runs out.
Like the rest of the OpenSSL Corporation team, I found him to be inspiring.
The Takeaways
It is an eye-opening experience, and I have not even started to talk about the presentations I found interesting. You have Peter Gutmann, founder of cryptlib, talk about Why Quantum Cryptanalysis is Bollocks. You have Billy Brumley, professor at Rochester Institute of Technology, Constant-Time BIGNUM Is Bollocks. I’ve been told the organisers are considering a “Bollocks Track” for future conferences.
I have made many new friends at this conference - friends that I plan to stay in touch with for many years to come.
My three key takeaways from the conference:
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I want to learn to play the piano for the singing group that parties into the early hours of the morning.
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I want to contribute to the OpenSSL Library project.
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With music, good food, some Czech beer, and a vibrant & collaborative Open Source environment like OpenSSL, you can get people from Anywhere, Any background, Any personal belief to talk together, openssl mission work together to contribute something meaningful to society. And that, my dear reader, is how to promote world peace.
Back to Brisbane
When I got back to Brisbane, I had a hard time trying to fall asleep. I am physically exhausted, but every time I close my eyes, those faces and clips from the conversation I had start to appear in my mind. Stories, talks, and late-night chats at the random local bar will always remain a vital part of my memory. It’s truly a unique experience, one of the best tech conferences out there. I know I’m biased because it is the first one I have ever attended - but that sentiment was shared by all the attendees who have been to dozens of conferences before that I got to know at the conference, too - and we cannot all be wrong!
I plan to be back at the OpenSSL Conference next year, 2026, and I invite you to come along.
