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B Thales Alenia Space and Hispasat have announced the start of the development phase for QKD-GEO, the world’s first quantum key distribution (QKD) system from geostationary orbit. Funded by the Spanish government through the PERTE Aeroespacial initiative and managed by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), the project aims to establish unhackable ground-to-orbit encryption keys, securing communications against future quantum threats. QKD-GEO represents a significant advancement in secure communications, leveraging the quantum properties of photons to ensure the integrity of transmitted data. Unlike fiber-optic systems, which are limited to short distances, geostationary satellites can provide continuous, continent-wide coverage without signal attenuation. The system [...]

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded CA$1.4 million to QEYnet (Maple, Ontario) to demonstrate a low-cost, Earth-to-space quantum key distribution (QKD) technology. This initiative aims to address vulnerabilities in satellite communications, particularly the inability to update encryption keys after launch, which poses a significant risk as next-generation computers threaten current encryption methods. QEYnet’s QKD technology leverages the quantum properties of photons to generate unhackable encryption keys, ensuring secure communications resistant to eavesdropping. The project will test the technology in space to evaluate its performance, with objectives including demonstrating the ability to load new keys in orbit, enabling QKD between Earth-based locations, and validating the [...]

Lufthansa Industry Solutions (LHIND) has been commissioned by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to explore how quantum computing can optimize strategic and tactical planning processes in aviation. Funded by the DLR Quantum Computing Initiative (QCI), the two-year project will focus on improving flight planning, crew scheduling, and route optimization using quantum algorithms. The initiative, part of the QCI QCMobility project, includes two sub-projects: Strategic Planning Processes and Tactical Planning Processes. LHIND is collaborating with the DLR Institute of Air Transport, the DLR Institute of Quantum Technologies, and Kipu Quantum, a startup specializing in application- and hardware-specific quantum computing solutions. The project leverages data from Eurowings and Lufthansa to develop and test quantum algorithms. These algorithms [...]

The Government of Canada has announced CA$74 million ($51.44 million USD) in funding to support 107 quantum research projects as part of its National Quantum Strategy. The investment, announced by Parliamentary Secretary Sherry Romanado at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in Varennes, Québec, aims to advance quantum technologies in computing, communications, materials, and sensing, while reinforcing Canada’s position as a global leader in quantum innovation. The projects, funded through NSERC’s Alliance Quantum grants, will address critical challenges in quantum science and foster collaborations between universities, private companies, and public organizations. Key areas of focus include quantum algorithms, encryption, and international partnerships with institutions such as France’s Agence [...]

QuantrolOx, Qblox, and QuantWare have set a new industry benchmark by achieving fully automated 2-qubit CZ gate tuning in under 25 minutes, a process that previously required PhD-level experts up to a week. This breakthrough, demonstrated at the Bluefors Lab in Delft, marks a significant step toward scalable quantum computing by streamlining the development of quantum processors. The collaboration combines QuantrolOx’s Quantum EDGE software, Qblox’s control electronics, and QuantWare’s quantum processing units (QPUs) to deliver an open-architecture solution for rapid qubit characterization and tuning. The system enables high-quality single-qubit gates with fidelities reaching 99.92%, drastically reducing the time for qubit-pair tuning from weeks to minutes. This advancement allows QPU developers to [...]

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) has unveiled a Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) Open API framework, developed in collaboration with leading QRNG innovators, including Anametric, ID Quantique, Qrypt, Quantinuum, Quantropi, and Quside. The framework aims to simplify QRNG integration, promote multi-vendor interoperability, and accelerate the adoption of quantum-safe cryptographic solutions. QRNG technology leverages quantum mechanics to generate truly random numbers, essential for creating secure cryptographic keys. The Open API framework eliminates proprietary barriers, enabling organizations to integrate QRNG into their systems seamlessly. It supports both cloud-based and on-premises solutions, providing a common mechanism for obtaining high-quality entropy from external QRNG platforms. Rich Campagna, SVP of Product Management at [...]

PQShield has been named a supporting member of Japan’s Cyber Research Consortium (CRC), which is funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The initiative aims to enhance Japan’s cybersecurity infrastructure and defend against quantum-enabled cyberattacks by implementing post-quantum cryptography (PQC) across the country’s technology supply chain. As part of the CRC, PQShield will design and deliver PQC primitives and protocols, collaborating with organizations such as AIST, Mitsubishi Electronics, and The University of Tokyo. The project, running from 2024 to 2026, will focus on advancing quantum-resistant cryptography, including ring signatures, threshold signatures, and threshold encryption. The results will contribute to global PQC standardization [...]

DIGITAL, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies, has announced new co-investments totaling nearly CA$5 million ($3.47 million USD) to support the commercialization and adoption of Canadian quantum technologies. Leveraging funding from Canada’s National Quantum Strategy and industry partners, these investments aim to pilot quantum solutions in real-world environments, further solidifying Canada’s leadership in quantum innovation. The projects, which are expected to attract over CA$7 million ($4.86 million USD) in additional partner contributions, focus on sectors critical to Canada’s economic prosperity and security. They include advancements in agriculture, cryptography, and open-source quantum computing platforms. Key Projects: Verge Ag in collaboration with D-Wave, Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), University of Northern British [...]

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has made a strategic investment in QuSecure, a leader in post-quantum cybersecurity, through its venture arm, Accenture Ventures. The partnership aims to provide organizations with crypto agility solutions to protect against emerging quantum threats. QuSecure’s QuProtect software offers a quantum-resilient, end-to-end security architecture that safeguards networks, cloud systems, edge devices, and satellite communications with minimal disruption to existing infrastructure. The investment underscores the urgency of transitioning to post-quantum encryption standards, as advised by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Quantum computers, once fully realized, could break traditional encryption methods, posing significant risks to sensitive data. QuSecure’s technology enables organizations to seamlessly [...]

D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS), a leader in quantum computing systems, has introduced the Leap Quantum LaunchPad™ program, an initiative designed to fast-track the deployment of quantum computing applications. The program provides qualified participants with free trial access to D-Wave’s annealing quantum computing technology and expertise for three months, enabling organizations to explore and implement quantum solutions for complex business and scientific challenges. The program includes access to D-Wave’s Advantage™ quantum computers (featuring 5,000+ qubits and sub-second solve times), the Leap™ real-time quantum cloud service, and technical guidance from D-Wave’s quantum experts. It aims to help customers address optimization problems in areas such as employee [...]