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Quantum cryptography: Austria's security against computer threats!
The Q-Crit Austria initiative will start on October 27, 2025 to introduce quantum cryptography to secure Austria's critical infrastructure.
Quantum cryptography: Austria's security against computer threats!
On October 27, 2025, the “Quantum-Safe Critical Infrastructure for Austria” (Q-Crit Austria) initiative was launched. This ambitious project aims to protect Austria's critical infrastructure against future threats from quantum computers. Loud OTS It may be possible to crack conventional encryption methods such as RSA in the near future. Therefore, quantum cryptography, in particular Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), is seen as a necessary solution for tap-proof key distribution.
To test these technologies, a pilot route of over 200 km will be set up in the ÖBB infrastructure's wide-area network. The Austrian startup qtlabs plays a central role here, as it is responsible for planning this pilot route. In addition, the company zerothird is developing the QKD devices used in this project. In order to further optimize the technology, Q-Crit Austria is working closely with TÜV IT to establish certification processes for QKD technology.
Integration and security
A significant goal of Q-Crit Austria is to demonstrate the integration of QKD into existing communication networks without affecting the availability of these networks. This represents an important step in the establishment of quantum-secure communication networks in Austria and Europe.
In addition to the Q-Crit Austria project, the encryption of data transfers using quantum cryptography is being further researched as part of the EU project QCI-CAT (Quantum Commercial Infrastructure Proof of Concept Austria). The IT service provider CANCOM Austria is testing quantum-resistant VPN connections, which can consist of hybrid encryption by combining QKD with post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Silicon.eu reports.
The Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) is leading this 18-month project, which also involves the Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMLV). A main goal is to secure the data traffic of critical infrastructures. Quantum cryptography is implemented here by Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). This technology enables the secure transmission of encryption keys based on quantum physics and automatically detects unauthorized eavesdropping, rendering the key unusable.
In addition, the focus is on the development of the quantum-resistant VPN solution “Arnika”, which is an open source extension of the well-known VPN solution “WireGuard”. “Arnika” uses cryptographic keys generated by a QKD system and uses these keys in a VPN connection for symmetric encryption.
The advances in quantum cryptography and its application show how important this area is becoming for the security of digital communication, especially for the critical infrastructures in Austria. For more information on related topics, please visit Office.com.