ID Quantique Announces its Participation in QUARTZ Satellite Cybersecurity Consortium
ID Quantique is happy to join the Satellite Cybersecurity Consortium led by SES with the goal to develop a Quantum Cryptography Telecommunication System (QUARTZ).
The consortium will develop a system based on Quantum Cryptography that will generate encryption keys in space, and securely transmit those keys to users on Earth via laser.
ID Quantique is one of ten project partners comprising research organisations, universities and leading industry representatives selected by the SES-led consortium. Other members include: :
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- itrust consulting
- Ludwig-Maximilian University
- LuxTrust
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
- Palacky University
- Tesat-Spacecom
- TNO
In order to achieve delivery of a reliable, globally available cybersecurity system and deliver next-generation encryption keys to networks in geographically dispersed areas, the new platform will leverage the unique advantages of satellite, including global reach and unlimited coverage.
The development of QUARTZ is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) under a recently announced agreement with SES. In the project framework, SES and partners will define, design and develop a satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system and service architecture, which will include the future service and the core technologies, as well as ground end-to-end testing. QUARTZ applications will address the needs of users such as telecommunication operators, financial organisations, infrastructure providers, institutions and governmental organisations.
About ID Quantique
Founded in 2001 as a spin-off of the Group of Applied Physics of the University of Geneva, ID Quantique is the world leader in quantum-safe crypto solutions, designed to protect data for the future. The company provides quantum-safe network encryption, secure quantum key generation and Quantum Key Distribution solutions and services to the financial industry, enterprises and government organizations globally. IDQ’s quantum random number generator has been validated according to global standards and independent agencies, and is the reference in highly regulated and mission critical industries – such as security, encryption, critical infrastructure and IoT – where trust is paramount.
Additionally, IDQ is a leading provider of optical instrumentation products, most notably photon counters and related electronics. The company’s innovative photonic solutions are used in both commercial and research applications.
IDQ’s products are used by government, enterprise and academic customers in more than 60 countries and on every continent. IDQ is proud of its independence and neutrality, and believes in establishing long-term and trusted relationships with its customers and partners.
For more information, please visit https://www.idquantique.com/.
About SES
SES is the world-leading satellite operator and the first to deliver a differentiated and scalable GEO-MEO offering worldwide, with more than 50 satellites in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 16 in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). SES focuses on value-added, end-to-end solutions in two key business units: SES Video and SES Networks. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators, governments and institutions. SES’s portfolio includes ASTRA, O3b and MX1, a leading media service provider that offers a full suite of innovative digital video and media services. SES is listed on the Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange (ticker: SESG).
Further information available at: www.ses.com
Useful links:
ESA – SES signature announcement
ESA article available here
Contact information:
Catherine Simondi – Corporate Communications & PR
Catherine.simondi@idquantique.com or + 41 22 301 83 71
