Filenews 21 July 2022
The Republic of Cyprus secured 3.75 million euros through the Funding Program of the European Union (EU) "Digital Europe", for the implementation of the first national quantum communications network in our country, occupying the 7th place (along with the Netherlands) among a total of 25 participations.
Cyprus' national proposal is the product of a consortium led by the Department of Electronic Communications of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, with scientific collaborators the European University Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology, the Digital Security Authority, the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA), the Cyprus Research and Academic Network (KEAD), and Hellas-Sat. The total cost of developing the network amounts to EUR 7.5 million, and it will be co-financed equally by European and national resources.
As part of the project, called "CyQCI", an advanced experimental optical network will be created in Cyprus, based on quantum key distribution (QKD), which will allow the highly secure transfer of information between critical public, academic and industrial end-users in Cyprus. At the same time, it provides for its interconnection with the European quantum communication network - known as EuroQCI - with the aim of developing a quantum-safe, trans-European network.
The integration of this cutting-edge technology into the existing national communication infrastructure is a leap in the modernization and digital transformation of the country's cybersecurity policies. At the same time, the project aims to strengthen technical expertise in the field of quantum communications, opening up opportunities for participation in relevant research activities, training initiatives and the development of the network itself
