QT Flagship Develops Quantum Encryption for Wide-Scale Deployment into Modern Telecom Networks

(Photonics.com) Scientists at the EU’s €1 billion Quantum Technology (QT) Flagship initiative have developed quantum encryption protocols to create what they’re calling the most secure transmission of sensitive information through the internet.
The QT Flagship is supporting four consortia: The CiViQ (continuous variable quantum communications) consortium has developed QKD (quantum key distribution) protocols to secure digital information; researchers at QRANGE have created quantum random number generators (QRNGs) that can be implemented in such protocols; UNIQORN scientists are searching for ways to miniaturize QKD down to the chip-scale to be easily integrated into any consumer device; and researchers from QIA are aiming to combine these resources to build the future quantum internet.
“Today, individuals, industries, and governments use networks to transmit sensitive data, such as health, financial, or defense information,” Valerio Pruneri, CiViQ’s project coordinator, said. “CiViQ’s QKD technology will enable wide-scale deployment and integration into modern telecom networks, providing long-term and reliable data security, based on the physical principle of quantum mechanics.”
CiViQ said its approach is different from previous projects because QKD technology specifications are defined by end-user needs. The company is hoping this will help it integrate QKD technology into existing modern telecom networks without the need to build ad-hoc, separate quantum communication infrastructure.