This week, Telia successfully tested ultra-secure quantum encryption technology on its network in Helsinki, becoming the first commercial operator in Finland to do so. The demonstration is an important step in a national project that aims to build a quantum-secure network.
Quantum key distribution
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a new method based on quantum mechanics that provides extremely secure communication. The Finnish project is part of the EU’s EuroQCI initiative, which aims to create a quantum-encrypted network covering the entire EU by the end of this decade, in particular to protect critical infrastructure.
In Finland, VTT is leading the national quantum secure network NaQCI.fi together with CSC – the Research Center for Information Technology, Cinia Oy and Suomen Erillisverkot Oy. The test conducted by Telia is part of the first phase of a public test network in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Similar test networks are planned for all EU countries.
Building a quantum secure network
“Telia’s demonstration is an important step towards building a quantum secure network for Finland and its wider use in businesses and organizations. We have now been able to evaluate how this new and demanding technology functions in a commercial operator’s network. We have gained hands-on experience with the peculiarities and challenges that an operator’s network faces when implementing quantum encryption,” says VTT Senior Researcher Kari Seppenen.
For the demonstration, Telia used the network environment and equipment of its audited data center in Helsinki. The company also provided human resources and resources from its existing network.
“As an operator, it is important for us to participate in a project that serves both Finland’s national security needs and business needs to protect critical data vital for operational security, among other things. Without experimentation, we cannot know what the distribution of quantum keys in an operator’s network requires. We see our role as acting as an important intermediary to make secure solutions projects a reality,” says Tero Maaniemi, Lead Network Infrastructure Architect at Telia.
Quantum encryption equipment outside the lab for the first time
VTT and CSC jointly purchased the equipment needed to establish QKD quantum encrypted communications, which had previously only been tested in a laboratory environment. VTT also conducted its own research on the implementation of quantum communication and developed its own solutions to ensure data security.
“The main technical challenge of a network with quantum encryption is that the equipment is still at the prototype stage and not fully ready for use in a production environment. Therefore, this initial experience gained during the Telia demonstration teaches us how QKD encryption functions outside of the test lab in Finland. It has been particularly valuable to see where there is still room for improvement in terms of wider adoption of the technology,” says Mikael Johansson, Quantum Technology Manager at CSC.
Quantum encryption networks make it possible to get ahead of the future ability of quantum computers to effectively break the encryption currently used for data transmission. Attackers can record the data traffic of a target of their choice now and wait for the moment when the encryption can be broken.
Encryption algorithms
Another preventive method along with QKD is PQC (post-quantum cryptography) encryption algorithms that resist quantum computing. They were developed to replace existing encryption algorithms with quantum-secure alternatives. For example, the new PQC connections are already being used between CSC data centers.
“Quantum secure communication using QKD, PQC or a combination of both is important for Finland so that we can communicate securely without fear that our current messages may be decrypted in the future. The addition of quantum encryption for critical connections can also create new business opportunities, as it supports, for example, the processing of sensitive information in data centers located in Finland,” says Johansson.
Outside the EU, British Telecom, for example, has built a trial network with quantum encryption in London to serve the banking industry. In South Korea, the public administration uses a quantum secure communication network stretching over 800 kilometers.
Quantum key distribution is also the first step towards the quantum internet, which will allow future quantum computers to connect with each other, further increasing the efficiency of quantum computing.
