Poland has successfully demonstrated its first quantum-encrypted connection using domestically developed quantum key distribution (QKD) technology. The connection, established between the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the Military University of Technology (WAT), utilized two QKD sets and a trusted node at NASK. The communication was secured using the IPSEC protocol with AES-256 encryption, ensuring resistance to interception and eavesdropping.
The Optokrypt project, which developed the QKD system, was initiated by the Cyberspace Defense Forces and implemented in collaboration with WAT, TELDAT, and NASK. The system is designed to address cybersecurity threats, including those posed by quantum computers. This effort is part of Poland’s participation in the EuroQCI initiative, a European Union project aimed at building a quantum communication infrastructure across member states.
Poland’s quantum communication network, Pionier-Q, spans 1,770 kilometers of optical fiber, connecting key cities such as Warsaw, Poznań, Gdańsk, Kraków, and Wrocław. The network is one of the largest in Europe and supports secure communication for public administration, defense, and critical infrastructure. The Pionier-Q consortium, along with entities like Creotech and Exatel, is actively involved in developing European cybersecurity standards.
This demonstration underscores the practical application of QKD technology in securing sensitive data and critical infrastructure. It also highlights Poland’s growing role in advancing quantum communication technologies within the European framework.
For more details, visit the original announcement by the Ministry of Digital Affairs of Poland (in Polish) here.
March 18, 2025
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