QUANCOM
| Identification Code: ARS01_00734 |  |
Development of quantum systems and technologies for cyber security in communication networks
PON “RESEARCH AND INNOVATION” 2014 - 2020 AND FSC referred to in the D.D. Notice of 13 July 2017 no. 1735
Our technology company is largely based on communication, and an ever-increasing amount of information and data travel through a widespread network of optical fibre that extends across the entire planet. Classic information encryption systems, essentially based on conventional algorithms, are increasingly at risk of decryption as a result of the growing computing power available with the arrival of emerging quantum computers. In the past two decades, fundamental developments in creating new secure communication systems have been made using quantum cryptography, and in particular Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which is technology that uses the properties of light at the quantum level to offer unconditional security to communication systems thanks to its ability to reveal the presence of attacks and breaches of the communication channel in real time.
The QUANCOM project proposes a synthesis of the three main aspects upon which communications security is based, i.e. the secure authentication of the communication channel, the security of the transmitted data, and its cryptographic protection by combining the different experiences chalked up by Italian Research Institutions in their respective areas of expertise and companies already involved in this domain in their various capacities.
To guarantee this, the ultimate goal of the QUANCOM project is aimed at developing innovative communications security systems by acting on multiple fronts, such as:
- the coexistence of classic and quantum security techniques, which involves the integration of traditional cryptographic protocols with keys distribution via QKD;
- the implementation of QKD communication systems, even over long distances, through the use of Trusted Nodes (TN);
- the creation of new hardware devices for quantum communication;
- the design of cutting-edge quantum-based satellite communications;
- the testing of the QKD scheme designed to be shared with real traffic on existing metropolitan optical fibre and access infrastructure.
Exprivia's role in the project is to:
- develop, analyse and laboratory test a distribution network on which to use cryptographic keys distributed via QKD on optical fibre. This translates into the need to:
- define an innovative network architecture that integrates the QKD layer in traditional architecture, ensuring access to the quantum keys distributed at the application layer of the ISO/OSI stack;
- integrate quantum key exchange into traditional encryption algorithms;
test and validate the integration between a QKD network and a traditional optical communication network in the field, contextualizing the activity in application domains of interest.
Partners:
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Capofila);
- Agenzia Spaziale Italiana;
- Università degli Studi di Padova;
- Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica;
- Exprivia S.p.A.
- Demetrix S.r.l
- Memory Consult S.r.l.
Documenti di riferimento:
https://www.exprivia.it/it-tile-on-the-security-of-quantum-key-distribution-networks/
