The pan-European event “QCI Days Athens 2025” will take place from 28 to 30 April 2025 at the Eugenides Foundation, held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance, with the support of the General Secretariat of Telecommunications and Post. The event is organised by GRNET – National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (HellasQCI coordinator) operating under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology (QCI-CAT coordinator), and UPM – The Technical University of Madrid (EuroQCI Spain).
Being the successor of QKD Days Madrid 2022 and QCI Days Vienna 2024, this event promises a unique opportunity to discuss the latest trends, present innovations and foster new partnerships in the field of quantum communication infrastructure at a pan–European level.
Greece’s selection as the host country for the event, succeeding Austria, is a great honor for the country, as it demonstrates Europe’s recognition of Greece’s pivotal role in the EuroQCI initiative. Furthermore, it highlights the cutting-edge technologies implemented by the national quantum communications network, HellasQCI, which contribute to strengthening both national and European innovation in quantum communications.
The event is addressed to cybersecurity professionals, IT engineers, security and IT experts, researchers, and practitioners in the field of quantum communications, as well as decision-makers aiming to enhance their organization’s security infrastructure.
Moreover, the event brings together representatives from the National Communication Infrastructures (NatQCIs) of EuroQCI, the European Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA), European quantum-centered projects such as Nostradamus and Petrus, stakeholders from public and private sectors, experts from the Digital Europe Programme (DEP), and Quantum Flagship projects, specialists from the optical and quantum technologies industry, and heads of Research & Development (R&D) departments to discuss and shape the future of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI).
This event will provide a valuable opportunity, as the first phase of the EuroQCI approaches completion. Project results, use cases and future plans for the next steps for European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) will be presented.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
Greece, through HellasQCI, plays a key role in the EuroQCI initiative for the development of secure communications across Europe, protecting sensitive data and critical infrastructure. QCI Days 2025 reinforces this commitment, marking a milestone for pan-European cooperation in cybersecurity.
Participation in the event for participants and invited speakers is free, and registration is mandatory for logistical reasons.
Register here.
Useful Information on the HellasQCI project which deploys the national quantum communication infrastructure
HellasQCI, a project co-funded by the European Union, is deploying the National Quantum Communication Infrastructure of Greece within the framework of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI). The project, coordinated by GRNET, under the guidance of the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance and the support of the General Secretariat of Telecommunications and Posts, aims to position Greece at the forefront of quantum technology, offering advanced solutions for the security and interconnection of critical communication infrastructures.
The HellasQCI Quantum Communication Network comprises more than 650 kilometers of optical fibers. Additionally, 13 government nodes in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion, Crete, will be equipped with secure communication capabilities using quantum encryption technologies. At the core of the project lies the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which ensure the protection of sensitive data and enhance the resilience of the country’s critical infrastructures.
Moreover, HellasQCI interconnects three Greek observatories – Helmos in the Peloponnese, Holomon in Thessaloniki, and Skinakas in Crete – with metropolitan networks in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion, Crete, respectively, which are being upgraded into Optical Ground Stations equipped with quantum key distribution capabilities.
In parallel, with a vision to accelerate research and innovation, HellasQCI is developing the quantum internet, laying the groundwork for a successful and secure transition to the digital technologies of the future.
Useful Links:
Event and Agenda here.
EuroQCI here.
HellasQCI here.
DEIMOS ENGENHARIA, DEMONSTRATES QUANTUM-SECURE NETWORK FOR MILITARY APPLICATIONS
Brussels, 29th January 2025. – Deimos Engenharia (Portugal), as coordinator, has successfully demonstrated cutting-edge secure communications technologies developed under the DISCRETION project, during an event held today at the Portuguese Embassy (REPER headquarters) in Brussels. This milestone event showcased technological advancements poised to enhance the European defense infrastructure.
Portugal’s Secretary of Defense Álvaro Castelo Branco and Portuguese Ambassador to the European Union Pedro Costa Pereira, alongside representatives from European institutions and member states, attended the event, emphasizing its significance for European security.
DISCRETION is a €6 million initiative led by Deimos Engenharia, supported by the European Commission under the EC DEFIS’ European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), the Portuguese Ministry of Defence and Portguese National Security Office and private sector partners. By integrating a Software-Defined Network with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technologies, DISCRETION seeks to enhance the security of military networks against emerging threats, particularly in the post-quantum era.
The demonstration event showcased the project’s capabilities in providing secure communication solutions, highlighting the ability to ensure reliable, encrypted messaging in challenging environments, protect sensitive military communications and enable secure, cross-domain communication. These advancements underline the system’s versatility and strength in enhancing security for a range of applications.
DISCRETION exemplifies European excellence in connecting advanced technologies to build a more secure, organized and resilient future for European Defence.
Collaborative European Leadership
The DISCRETION project, short for “Disruptive SDN Secure Communications for European Defence,” is an initiative aimed at developing an optical Software-Defined Network (SDN) solution to ensure secure, robust and resilient communications for European defense applications. It is led by Deimos Engenharia (Portugal), and brings together a consortium including Portugal (Altice Labs, Adyta, Instituto de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Técnico), Spain (Telefónica ID, Polytechnic University of Madrid), Austria(Austrian Institute of Technology) and Italy (NEXTWORKS).
Innovative Solutions for Defense Communications
At the core of DISCRETION’s innovation is a Software-DefinedNetworking solution that is poised to revolutionize secure communications by enabling:
The incorporation of Quantum Key Distribution technologiesprovides an unprecedented and disruptive level of security, offering protection against eavesdropping and ensuring robust communication for Europe’s defense infrastructure.
Quantum technology specialists from across Europe are gathering at the Camden Court Hotel in Dublin city this week for a 3-day conference organised by the IrelandQCI Project Leads at Walton Institute in South East Technological University (SETU). Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, with special responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth T. D., was delighted to address attendees today, Tuesday 2 July 2024, an audience made up of representatives from the European Commission, European Space Agency and technology specialists from across Irish and European industry and academia.
See press releases
Experts gather in Dublin to discuss quantum communications (siliconrepublic.com)
Prism Malta are organising a Quantum Communications Summer School from 22nd to 26th July 2024 at the University of Malta’s Msida Campus as part of the PRISM EuroQCI project. This event aims to provide a comprehensive understanding on the different aspects of quantum communications to participants of different professional backgrounds, including academics, industry professionals, and government entities. The aspects that the series of lectures will feature include concepts from quantum mechanics, mathematics, QKD protocols, error correction and the idea of QKD beyond point-to-point networks.
Event Details:
Dates: 22nd – 26th July 2024
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: VC101, IT Services, University of Malta Msida Campus, Msida, Malta
Price: €100 (fee waiver available for full-time students)
The summer school will include:
5 two-hour lectures by leading academics and industry experts
5 two-hour practical sessions
Coverage of topics such as quantum mechanics, QKD (Quantum Key Distribution) protocols, error correction, and QKD beyond point-to-point networks
Refreshments between sessions
A Certificate of Attendance upon completion
Learning and Skills Outcomes:
Understand that there are different aspects behind quantum communications.
Apply the mathematical concepts introduced in the school to solve basic computations.
Understand the scientific concepts behind quantum mechanics and use them to explain the phenomena that allow secure communication to occur.
Familiarise themselves with the existence of various QKD protocols, their uses and their implementation.
Understand the use of error correction codes and be able to implement a simple code themselves.
Appreciate the evolution of the field and the emergent technologies that guarantee the security of a quantum communications network.
Gain an understanding of some of the projects that are currently underway in Malta and beyond to secure the current communications infrastructure.
Admission Requirements:
The Quantum Communications Summer School is open for any interested candidate that has basic knowledge in Quantum Mechanics, Communications, ICT or has experience in the Communications industry.
Quarter Consortium First General Meeting
On the 4th of July, the QUARTER consortium General had its first general meeting in Castelldefels, Barcelona. The meeting
aimed to bring together representatives from all the companies involved in QUARTER to share the consortium’s advancements, and news, discuss new ideas, and plan the next steps.
Representatives from Telefónica, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Quside, Thales, LuxQuanta, Chilas, Cipherbit
(Grupo Oesia), and fragmentiX gathered in a meeting full of innovative ideas.
WHAT IS QUARTER?
QUARTER, led by LuxQuanta, stands for “Quantum Cryptography Technology for Europe,” a consortium of companies working under the DIGITAL Europe program by the European Commission.
The main objective of QUARTER is to increase the maturity level of quantum communication (QC) technologies, enabling their deployment in quantum-secure networks and infrastructure, including the quantum-secured network of the EuroQCI initiative.
The consortium brings together 4 SMEs specialized in quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum random number generators
(QRNGs), high-performance laser sources, classical security solutions, and 5 large companies/RTOs that are European leaders in quantum technologies, security solutions, and telecommunications.
Six months after its kick-off, the General meeting aimed to mark a pivotal point in the project by gathering all companies
in person to share their insights and progress.
“The core of the proposal and the project involve various technologies that complement each other in building quantum-secure networks. These technologies range from components to quantum key distribution (QKD), classical security solutions, and network interfaces. The objective is to seamlessly integrate all these elements into an end-to-end solution, our ultimate goal to demonstrate by the project’s completion.”
Sebastian Etcheverry, LuxQuanta’s CTO
“This is the first general meeting we celebrate as part of QUARTER. Together, we are ensuring that progress aligns with our goals and that all the deliverables committed to the European Commission are achieved effectively. Our aim is to meet the 2027 deployment deadline with confidence.”
Vanesa Díaz, LuxQuanta’s CEO
ROAD TO 2027 DEPLOYMENT
QUARTER efforts are aligned towards achieving the needed maturity and development of the technologies needed for
the EuroQCI deployment project. By 2027, Europe expects to have already deployed a pan-European communication network secured by Quantum Key Distribution. The consortium efforts are, therefore, moving forward with that goal as the main objective, and all members are working hard in their expertise to achieve the European Commission’s ambitious project.
Antonio Manzalini (TIM), Project Coordinator of EQUO, has been confirmed as Chair of the group Quantum Networking and Services of GSMA (https://www.gsma.com/)
The new work-item (2023-2024) concerns “hybrid (QKD and PQC) security scenarios and use cases”: activities started with the objective is delivery a GSMA whitepaper on this topic in Spring 2024.
The former papers published by the group Quantum Networking and Services of GSMA (2020-2022) are available at these links:
Construction of the quantum encryption network begins in Finland
A public test network will be built in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, which will enable the introduction of quantum encryption technologies.
https://www.vttresearch.com/en/news-and-ideas/construction-quantum-encryption-network-begins-finland
Public demonstration of a quantum-encrypted video call using Maltese technology
In May, PRISM ran a demonstration of a quantum-encrypted video call between the University of Malta and the data centre of Melita in Madliena using the technology built by Merqury Cybersecurity.
A press release was issued, and articles were released on the PRISM website as well as on partner channels such as the Melita website. A video was also released by the University of Malta on YouTube. Here are some relevant links:
YouTube video by the University of Malta: https://youtu.be/2nqRreU6LFg
News article on the PRISM project website: https://prism-euroqci.eu/public-demonstration-quantum-encrypted-video-call/
News article on the University of Malta website: https://www.um.edu.mt/newspoint/news/2023/05/public-demonstration-quantum-encrypted-video
News article on the Melita website: https://www.melita.com/public-demonstration-of-a-quantum-encrypted-video-call-using-maltese-technology
Feature on Times of Malta: https://x2.timesofmalta.com/20230518/business-tech/the-first-quantum-encrypted-video-call-using-maltese-technology/
Building a quantum key distribution network in Sweden
https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2023/8/building-a-quantum-key-distribution-network-in-sweden
HellasQCI: Security of sensible data and infrastructure
Quantum-proof network to be established between Danish ministries
This project has received funding from the DIGITAL-2021-QCI-01 Digital European Program under grant agreement no. PETRUS 101091719.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
