Partners in the quantum-safe communications project ‘International Use Cases for Operational QKD Applications and Services’ (INT-UQKD) have been celebrating the operational status of the project’s terrestrial quantum key distribution (QKD) link between Luxembourg and Belgium at a milestone review meeting. The project team, led by Starion Luxembourg, met in Belgium on 14-15 November to review the progress of the project, which is being driven by commercial use cases such as finance, where trusted, secure communications are essential.
On 14-15 November 2024, partners in the INT-UQKD quantum-safe communications project met at the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC) in Redu, Belgium, for a review meeting that centred on a significant milestone – the project’s first terrestrial QKD link achieving operational status. The INT-UQKD project is funded through ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) strategic programme line ‘Space Systems for Safety and Security’ (4S), with the involvement of the Singaporean Office for Space Technology & Industry.
The terrestrial QKD link, which uses fibre optics, connects ESEC with a data centre in Luxembourg. Validating the success of this first phase provides the stepping stone to the second, space-based stage of the project, which will involve a QKD link via satellite from Luxembourg to Singapore. The first of these space-based demonstrations will use the Speqtre and Speqtral-1 satellites and a new optical ground station in Luxembourg, all of which are currently under construction. Quantum-secure communications between ESEC in Belgium and Singapore will be routed via Luxembourg, using both the terrestrial fibre optic and satellite QKD links.
INT-UQKD’s primary objective is to develop quantum-safe communications links for specific use cases in operational IT environments – particularly in regulated sectors that have very strong security requirements – and to demonstrate the technology’s maturity for commercial use. In Luxembourg, the focus is on financial institutions, with further sectors to be addressed as the project expands with links to other countries. Ultimately, the aim is to align INT-UQKD with the requirements of national quantum communications programmes.
Nicolas Ramponi, Operations Director Belux, Starion Luxembourg, said: “This milestone review meeting was very positive as it marked the operational success of the INT-UQKD project’s first terrestrial link. What’s important to recognise, however, is that the project’s overall success will be judged by its application in real-world use cases, such as finance and other regulated sectors. This isn’t a project that solely focuses on the technology – instead, we want to make it as straightforward as possible for banks and other businesses to transition to quantum-safe communications and know they have trusted, secure communications in the face of the significant cyber threats emerging from quantum computing.”
Marc Welter, the project’s Technical Officer from ESA added: “We are delighted by the progress of the INT-UQKD project to date. This first quantum-secured terrestrial link is especially notable because it is based at ESEC, which is at the heart of a growing cybersecurity hub in southern Belgium. Cybersecurity is a key focus for ESA and our two new cybersecurity centres operate from here: the Security Cyber Centre of Excellence (SCCoE) and the Cyber Safety and Security Operations Centre (CSOC). Having first-class cybersecurity is not only essential for space; it is also vital for all critical infrastructures and regulated sectors, and putting the focus on use cases is why this project is unique.”
Adoption of quantum-safe communications is widely recognised as essential for critical infrastructures and regulated organisations due to the emergence of quantum computers, which threaten to break existing cryptographic techniques within the next 5 to 10 years. QKD uses the quantum mechanical properties of electromagnetic waves (light) to share secure ‘keys’ via optical communications links such as fibre optic networks and satellites. INT-UQKD will combine this with post-quantum cryptography elements to provide an optimally secure solution across interconnected networks.
Starion Luxembourg is responsible for system architecture design and project management for INT-UQKD, working with POST Luxembourg, the University of Luxembourg’s SnT, HITEC Luxembourg, evolutionQ (Canada) and SpeQtral (Singapore).
About ESA’s Space Systems for Safety & Security (4S) programme
ESA is Europe’s gateway to space, coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its Member States to conduct space programmes and activities. The Space Systems for Safety & Security (4S) strategic programme line, which is part of ARTES, develops innovative secure satellite communication systems, integrating them with terrestrial networks where relevant. These systems aim to enhance the safety, resilience and security of critical infrastructures and applications, including transportation across land, air and sea. Additionally, they support governmental operations such as border control and law enforcement.
The 4S initiative aims to support European and national institutions and public bodies in building satellite communications tailored to their needs, while also maintaining Europe’s position at the forefront of the global secure communications market. By fostering growth in this domain, the initiative contributes to creating a safer and more resilient society in Europe and beyond.
Learn more at connectivity.esa.int/space-systems-safety-and-security-4s