Secure communication thanks to quantum physics

Since the Ukraine conflict at the latest, it has become increasingly clear how important the encrypted and secure transmission of information is. As one of Europe’s largest telecommunications groups, Deutsche Telekom is leading the development of an EU-wide highly secure communications infrastructure, EuroQCI. EuroQCI, a project supported by the European Commission, uses encryption methods based on quantum physics to ensure data security and digital sovereignty throughout the European Union. The project involves close collaboration with partners such as Airbus DS, Thales SIX and AIT, as well as a group of experts from academia and industry. The initiative is called “PETRUS,” which stands for “Protecting Europeans Through Quantum Communications Infrastructure Security Solutions.”

Data security in the military sector and for citizens

One of Deutsche Telekom’s main goals in this project is to provide secure and reliable connections within Europe without relying on third-party providers outside the EU for secure data transmission. EuroQCI will also provide national authorities with access points with a high level of protection for information and communications technologies that support secure internal operations. This system is expected to have applications in a wide range of sectors, from military to finance, and will ultimately provide tangible benefits to businesses in terms of traffic management, operational security and risk prevention.

But the PETRUS project also has the potential to benefit European citizens later on. By providing a secure and reliable data transmission infrastructure, EuroQCI will help protect private information and support digital sovereignty. This will allow citizens to control their own data and protect themselves from cyberattacks. It could also facilitate the development of new applications that require a high level of security, such as healthcare services or e-voting.

The PETRUS project is an important step in the development of a secure digital Europe and will bring numerous benefits to both businesses and citizens. The initiative aims to create a network of secure connections between European countries that will facilitate the exchange of data across borders without relying on third-party providers from outside the EU. This higher level of digital sovereignty will help protect citizens from cyber threats. The project is scheduled to launch in 2024 at the latest.