ID Quantique and Singtel develop Singapore’s first Nationwide Quantum Safe Network Plus (NQSN+) for enterprises
In an era where digital threats evolve at an unprecedented pace, the need for robust, future-proof security solutions is paramount. This case study delves into the groundbreaking collaboration between ID Quantique (IDQ) and Singtel, aimed at fortifying digital communications through the implementation of a quantum-safe network in Singapore. This initiative not only sets a new standard in cybersecurity but also presents a unique commercial opportunity for Singtel to offer Quantum-Safe-as-a-Service offerings.
Singtel was appointed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to develop the network as part of the nation’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint, which outlines the next round of its digital connectivity up to 2030, including the aim to be quantum safe by then.
Establish a quantum-safe network in Singapore using advanced quantum safe technologies and solutions for stronger data and network security.
Integrate IDQ’s QKD and Quantum Key Management technologies into Singtel’s existing infrastructure, creating a resilient and secure communication framework.
Enable new Quantum-Safe as a Service offerings, creating new revenue streams for Singtel, removing cost and complexity barriers to adoption for its customers.
IMDA
Government
Enhance the resilience and security of businesses in Singapore’s digital economy.
Singtel
Telecommunications
Leverages its market presence to implement and commercialize the quantum-safe solution
ID Quantique
Technology Partner
Provides technical expertise and QKD technology, driving the project’s innovation.
Nokia, Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper, PacketLight
Ecosystem Partners
Consume keys on OSI Layers 1, 2, and 3 as well as MPLS.
Enterprise Customers
Benefit from enhanced security, safeguarding sensitive data against evolving threats.
Public Safety and Defence
Financial Institutions
Utilities and Power
Aviation and Transportation
Healthcare and Hospitals
Manufacturing and Engineering
The core of the new network will function as a highly-available ring throughout Singapore. It will employ modern quantum-safe technologies such as quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum random number generation (QRNG), and post-quantum cryptography (PQC). In addition, it will also use other security measures, such as multi-layer encryption and secure key management, to provide additional protection.
Singtel’s customers will be able to simply sign up to a quantum-safe offering to benefit from secure communications. Quantum-Safe as a Service removes adoption barriers, including cost of ownership by shifting expenses from CapEx to OpEx for greater flexibility and predictability in budgeting, reducing the complexity of migration and the need for significant manpower and expertise.
The network leverages Singtel’s managed network services, optical network, and selected exchanges to establish a reliable, secure and resilient nationwide quantum-safe key distribution network. Singtel’s quantum-safe service will enable enterprises to secure their communications across the island and extend quantum-safe security to new use cases and applications such as identity, mobility and authentication services.
Singtel has chosen to deploy QKD as an additional security layer due to its additional benefits over relying solely on algorithmic key exchange protocols, including unconditional secrecy and long-term resilience against the quantum threat.
Singtel has selected to partner with ID Quantique, because of its two-decade long and extensive experience in developing QKD systems. This experience has enabled IDQ to refine its technology, address requirements for telecom use, and optimize performance required for high-SLA environments.
ID Quantique’s 4th generation QKD systems, including the Clavis XG which will be implemented in Singtel’s network, have been successfully deployed in many telecom, government and commercial use cases.
Significant deployments, such as the 30-node network in South Korea spanning over 800 km and the 1770 km intercity QKD infrastructure in Poland, highlight the reliability and maturity of IDQ’s technology. ID Quantique has also been the primary supplier for large-scale projects, such as OPENQKD and EuroQCI. Importantly, IDQ’s QKD technology has been praised by the end-users as easy to install and maintain, requiring minimal onsite support.
Beyond a product you can trust, IDQ also distinguished itself with the quality of its service: high SLA, round-the-clock support, and maybe most important of all, a customer-centric approach and an open mind to make Singtel’s project a success.
The Clavis XG is designed to be flexible and compatible with existing network infrastructures. IDQ’s leading ecosystem of technology partnerships enables us to provide certified interoperability natively integrated in the product, with a wide range of communication systems and encryption appliances. This enables our clients to enhance their security without the need for overhauls, expensive integration or disruptions to their existing networks.
IDQ supports a hybrid protection model, leveraging both QKD and PQC, to ensure defence in depth at different layers of the network stack. The migration to quantum-safe communication can be significantly derisked and accelerated with the appropriate use of cryptographic hybridization and crypto-agile solutions: the deployment of QKD in the existing telecommunication backbone infrastructure can be combined with PQC thanks to IDQ’s Quantum Key Exchange platform: Clarion KX.
The Clarion KX platform offers robust, scalable, and easy-to-deploy quantum-safe key distribution over any QKD infrastructure. It is a comprehensive enterprise solution that addresses the challenges of implementing QKD in real-world telecom environments.
Acting as a software layer, it expands QKD networks beyond simple point-to-point connections. It ensures the quantum keys can securely reach any location both within and beyond the QKD network, depending on the availability of the optical infrastructure.
Clarion KX platform manages real-time key distribution across intricate network configurations, guaranteeing secure key delivery to a range of encryption devices and applications, no matter where they are located on the network.
Key features of Clarion KX Platform:
The successful deployment of a quantum-safe network positions Singtel at the forefront of telecommunications innovation, offering a distinct competitive advantage. As cybersecurity concerns escalate, the demand for quantum-safe solutions is set to surge, presenting a lucrative opportunity for telecom operators.
Differentiation
Singtel’s quantum-safe network distinguishes its services in a crowded market, appealing to security-conscious enterprises.
New Revenue Streams
Offering QKD as a service opens up new business avenues, attracting sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government that prioritize data security.
Future-Readiness
Investing in quantum-safe technology prepares Singtel for the impending quantum computing era, ensuring long-term relevance and competitiveness.
As Singtel integrates ID Quantique’s Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology through the Clarion KX platform into its network infrastructure, it is poised to offer a range of quantum-safe services to its customers. These services cater to various sectors that prioritize data security, such as finance, healthcare, government, and more. Below are the detailed business models Singtel will employ under Quantum Infrastructure as a Service (QIaaS) and Quantum Platform as a Service (QPaaS).
Quantum Infrastructure as a Service (QIaaS)
Based on quantum-safe keys.
Gives customers full control over their encryption keys with comprehensive support including monitoring, incident and change management.
QIaaS provides keys to the end customers’ encryptors from layer 1 to layer 3. The end customer owns, manages and operates the encryptors and is simply requesting quantum-safe keys from the QKD service from the telecom operator.
IDQ supplies the QKD and Quantum key management system, while Singtel operates the service for its enterprise clients.
Quantum Platform as a Service (QPaaS)
Based on quantum-safe bandwidth.
Delivers a fully managed service with comprehensive support including monitoring, incident and change management.
QPaaS enables telecom to provide quantum-safe bandwidth to end customers. The end customer doesn’t need to do anything but “tick a box” when they order bandwidth and request quantum-safe assurance.
The telecom operator operates QKD, Q-KMS, as well as encryptors, and the customer simply enjoys the service. Singtel will use IDQ’s XG Series of QKD systems, Clarion KX Platform as the Quantum KMS, and encryptors of their choice, to offer Quantum safe bandwidth for the customer between any of the customer data centers or offices. With this model, there is absolutely no capital investment or any investment in workforce: just a simple subscription to the service.
The establishment of a quantum-safe network transcends commercial gains, offering profound societal benefits:
Enhanced Security
Protects critical infrastructure and sensitive information from cyber threats, ensuring national security.
Economic Stability
Prevents costly data breaches, contributing to economic resilience and stability.
Innovation Ecosystem
Positions Singapore as a leader in quantum technology, fostering innovation and attracting global investments.
The collaboration between ID Quantique and Singtel exemplifies the transformative potential of quantum-safe networks. By implementing QKD and other quantum-safe technologies, telecom operators can revolutionize their service offerings, delivering unmatched security in an increasingly competitive cybersecurity landscape, and boosting revenue by enhancing the value of their existing network services. This initiative not only strengthens customer trust but also drives industry-wide progress towards a secure quantum future.
The ID Quantique and Singtel project underscores the strategic importance of adopting quantum-safe technologies. It demonstrates how innovation, collaboration, and foresight can create a secure, prosperous digital landscape.
ID Quantique is committed to continue to support Singtel in its Quantum-Safe Network (QSN) project expansion both locally and globally. Singtel’s presence in multiple Asian countries will be a key factor in duplicating and interconnecting national QSNs, similarly to the European Union project EuroQCI.
