Cybercrime is becoming an increasingly significant risk due to quantum technology. However, the solution also lies within that same technology. Eurofiber, in collaboration with QuTech and Juniper Networks, is testing how innovative encryption can secure vital information. Scaling up is already on the agenda for this year.
“Quantum computers are not yet available, but the danger of their computing power already exists,” warns Martin Vos, Business Innovation Director at Eurofiber. “There is a growing awareness that encrypted data could be intercepted to be cracked in the future with quantum technology. This poses a significant risk for vital data such as government, financial, and energy sector information, airports, and healthcare. The good news is that we are able to secure this crucial information using keys generated by quantum effects. We are currently testing the best way to do this in practice with the Quantum Key Distribution project, in collaboration with QuTech and Juniper Networks.”
New Technology
The test setup consists of equipment developed by QuTech (see inset) and Eurofiber's fiber optic network. Juniper Networks, as a supplier of network equipment and a solid partner of Eurofiber, is involved in monitoring the effects on its own equipment. The pilot started in June last year.
“At the information source, the customer, an end node is needed,” explains Marc Hulzebos, Innovation Offer at Eurofiber. “This sends qubits to the central node, which generates quantum keys that protect information from cyber attacks. These keys greatly enhance the conventional encryption of the data. We are testing the technology on our own fiber optic network, which we have opened between our data centers in Utrecht and Nieuwegein for this purpose. This connects the various nodes at these locations. It is also a development path because QuTech incorporates the knowledge we gain into new equipment.”
Scaling Up
“The power lies in the specific property that quantum particles (qubits) only take on their appearance when they are read,” says Vos. “The key issued by the measurement of qubits is by definition unread and therefore capable of fully securing the information. The distance these particles can travel is still limited. We are currently experimenting over different distances up to a maximum of 55 kilometers. This year, we aim to scale up to 200 kilometers.”
Eurofiber doesn't intend to stop at just 200 kilometers because it has the ambition to ensure full coverage for the Netherlands and to connect to the European quantum network. Universities and the education cooperative SURF are also joining this effort. More countries are taking steps in this area, with the European Union driving the initiative to establish quantum-safe infrastructure in all member states by 2027.
100% Security
“With this, we will provide our customers with 100% connectivity security for the near and distant future,” emphasizes Hulzebos. “Customers can use the quantum keys to secure their entire network. The security is strongest over our fiber optic network with quantum technology because the keys remain in qubit form, but they also enhance conventionally encrypted information over other connections.”
“Data communication based on quantum technology occurs without our intervention,” adds Vos. “The encryption and validation happen entirely autonomously. Another significant advantage is that the central node in our data center can serve multiple customers, who can use the innovative keys among themselves, even generating a new one every minute if they wish. The quantum network is highly secure and scalable.”
From Test to Service
Future-proof data security is already within reach, and this is good news for organizations in vital sectors. Precisely those organizations are among Eurofiber's customer base. “We are aware of their risks and security needs,” says Hulzebos. “That's why we are at the forefront of this development, together with QuTech and Juniper Networks. In the ongoing pilot, we are not only developing the technology but also the application for our customers, perhaps even without them needing to purchase an end node. This service aligns well with our high-quality fiber optic network and other services we provide. I encourage our customers to participate in the testing project so we can make progress even faster.”
Interested in participating in the Quantum Key Distribution Project? Sign up with Marc Hulzebos, Innovation Officer at Eurofiber, marc.hulzebos@eurofiber.com
Quantum encryption takes place through communication over the Eurofiber fiber optic network between an 'end node' and a 'central node'. These devices contain the unique Measurement Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD) technology from QuTech. QuTech is a collaboration between TU Delft and TNO for the development of quantum computers and quantum communication.