A consortium of parties have become the first in the world to build a scalable quantum internet connection at Rotterdam port as part of the Quantum Delta NL programme.
The programme led by the Port of Rotterdam Authority and involving Q*Bird, Single Quantum, Cisco, Eurofiber, Portbase, Intermax and InnovationQuarter, has demonstrated that the use of quantum technology prevents access to sensitive information in a trial setup.
It’s hoped that in future, this new communication system could improve the security of the tens of thousands of seagoing vessels that visit the port every year and also better secure the resulting economic traffic from the threat of quantum computers.
Future ready
During the trial, which started in late 2022, a central hub for creating a quantum network was installed by Q*Bird in Eurofiber’s data centre.
This central hub is connected to two endpoints at Portbase and Port of Rotterdam Authority. These two endpoints exchanged data secured with quantum keys during the trial period.
The generation and distribution of keys takes place within the quantum network, with Q*Bird using a unique multipoint-to-multipoint configuration for the endpoints. Many new endpoints can be connected to the central hub, each of which can generate quantum keys.
Other quantum key distribution systems rely on a less flexible peer-to-peer configuration.
Q*Bird said its system can also be used to secure other critical infrastructure networks in the Netherlands.
In light of the success of this trial, new endpoints at Customs and a number of nautical service providers in the port will be connected to the central hub over the course of this year.
The Port of Rotterdam believes that quantum technology has unprecedented potential for solving complex problems, but at the same time, also poses serious threats.
Cybersecurity is currently ensured by data encryption based on calculations that today’s computers are barely able to solve. However, a powerful quantum computer can crack algorithms and expose sensitive data.
For companies with critical infrastructure, such as Rotterdam Port Authority, this could represent a serious threat of business disruption resulting in major financial losses and physical damage. It said that increasing cyber resilience therefore, is more important than ever.
