EU Partners with Nostradamus Consortium to Test Quantum Key Distribution
In a major step toward securing its communications networks with quantum technologies, the European Union (EU) has commissioned a consortium dubbed Nostradamus to build the test infrastructure for quantum key distribution (QKD). The move is expected to enable the evaluation of QKD devices from European manufacturers.
The consortium is led by Deutsche Telekom (DT), a digitalization partner for the EU and a network provider for several EU institutions. Other partners include French tech company Thales, the Austrian Institute of Technology, and experts from across industry and academia.
“The €16 million (around $17.4 million) Nostradamus project has just been launched by the European Commission to provide Europe, in four years’ time, with a center of excellence able to assess the security of these technologies against the most advanced attacks and threats, which only nation-states or state-sponsored actors would be able to implement,” Joan Mazenc, head of licensed security evaluation facilities (ITSEF) at Thales, told SDxCentral.
Advancing Quantum Technologies: EU’s Mission for Secure Communications
This latest quantum push from the EU aims to pave the way for developing and implementing the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), a secure pan-European communication network based on quantum technology. The infrastructure is intended to provide more security for data centers, communications networks, and critical infrastructure such as hospitals and power plants via fiber optics and satellite.
The future encrypted EU satellite network IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite) is also based on EuroQCI. IRIS2 will provide governments with communications services and network critical infrastructure, and businesses and organizations with fast satellite Internet, according to DT.
“Over the past four years, Europe has invested heavily in quantum technologies with the EuroQCI project, investing nearly €180 million (around $196 million), to develop a robust scientific and industrial ecosystem, foster the emergence of national champions, and enable the forthcoming implementation of a secure communications network between member states,” Mazenc said.
EuroQCI: Europe’s Ambitious Plan for a Quantum-Based Network
EuroQCI is poised to revolutionize the way Europe communicates and safeguards critical infrastructure. With the growing threat of cyberattacks, the EU recognizes the importance of quantum technologies in ensuring secure communications. The aim is to create a pan-European network that leverages quantum principles to generate and distribute encryption keys, making it virtually impossible for adversaries to intercept or decode sensitive information.
By harnessing the power of single photons and the laws of quantum mechanics, EuroQCI will enable highly secure data transmission over fiber optic networks and via satellite connections. This will provide a quantum leap in data protection for industries reliant on secure communication, from government institutions to healthcare facilities and power plants.
Nostradamus Consortium to Certify Quantum Key Distribution Manufacturers
To achieve its goals, the Nostradamus consortium will play a crucial role in certifying QKD product manufacturers. These certifications are awarded by national security agencies, based on security evaluation results provided by licensed security evaluation facilities (ITSEF). It assures that the awarded system is robust against hackers with a holistic approach.
QKD is a technology that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to secure communication and data exchange. The keys for decoding information are sent using single photons — quantum light particles. Any eavesdropping attempt to intercept these photons leaves traces in their physical state.
“For QKD devices, in addition to standard threats and attack vectors, hackers may target the quantum link between two devices,” Mazenc said. “Evaluating the security of such link, relying on quantum physics principles, is new, requires a dedicated lab and new approaches.”
Thales Builds Attack Lab to Address Quantum Threats in EU’s Network
To address these quantum threats, Thales will build a laboratory to simulate and analyze attacks targeting the quantum link, as part of the consortium. This laboratory will identify methods for evaluating ground-based quantum key devices, based on fiber optic technology.
The lab will be designed and developed in Toulouse, France, which is the heart of the European space ecosystem. Around 2027, the lab will be transferred to a location that the European Commission is still keeping secret.
By investing in cutting-edge research and development, the EU, in collaboration with the Nostradamus consortium, is positioning itself as a global leader in quantum technologies. The efforts to build a secure quantum-based network demonstrate the EU’s commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats and ensuring the safety and integrity of its communications infrastructure. The future is quantum, and Europe is poised to lead the way.
Analyst comment
Positive news:
The EU partners with the Nostradamus consortium to test quantum key distribution, a major step in securing communication networks with quantum technologies. This move is expected to enable the evaluation of QKD devices from European manufacturers. The EU aims to develop the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) to provide secure communication networks, and Thales will build a laboratory to address quantum threats. Overall, this news indicates progress and investment in quantum technologies, positioning the EU as a global leader in the field.
As an analyst, I predict that the market for quantum technologies, particularly quantum key distribution devices and infrastructure, will experience growth and demand due to the EU’s investment and commitment to secure communications. European manufacturers in the field are likely to benefit from the opportunity to showcase and evaluate their QKD devices, leading to increased adoption and potential partnerships. This could also drive innovation and advancements in quantum technologies as a whole, creating new opportunities for industry players.
