European Quantum Ecosystems -- Preparing the Industry for the Quantum Security and Communications Revolution

TL;DR

This paper discusses the rapid development of the second quantum revolution and its implications for industry, emphasizing the importance of quantum-safe communication solutions like QKD and PQC, especially within the EuroQCI initiative.

Contribution

It highlights the progress and integration challenges of Quantum Key Distribution in European networks and the role of the EQUO project in advancing quantum communication infrastructure.

Findings

Deployment of a QKD test network in Europe.

Identification of technological gaps for QKD integration.

Enhanced understanding of operator requirements for quantum communication.

Abstract

There is mounting evidence that a second quantum revolution based on the technological capabilities to detect and manipulate single quantum particles (e.g., electrons, photons, ions, etc), a feat not achieved during the first quantum revolution, is progressing fast. It is expected that in less than 10 years, this second quantum revolution shall have a significant impact over numerous industries, including finance, medicine, energy, transportation, etc. Quantum computers threaten the status quo of cybersecurity, due to known quantum algorithms that can break asymmetric encryption, which is what gives us the ability to communicate securely using a public channel. Considering the world's dependence on digital communication through data exchange and processing, retaining the ability to communicate securely even once quantum computers come into play, cannot be stressed enough. Two solutions are available: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC); which, we emphasise, are not mutually exclusive. The EuroQCI initiative, of which EQUO is a part of, focuses on QKD and aims to build a network whereby EU countries can communicate securely through QKD. To this aim, the DEP (Digital Europe Programme) project aims to bring technological matureness to QKD by deploying a QKD test network and, through this exercise, understand what is lacking from an operator's point of view when the time to integrate QKD in their network comes.