Colt harnesses ADVA FSP 3000 for quantum-secured transport in live network trial

News summary:

• Colt’s field trial features quantum-based super-encryption invulnerable to any cyberattack
• Technology offers vital protection from quantum computer security threats
• ADVA’s Layer 1 encryption solution key to successful 100Gbit/s trial between Colt data centers

FRANKFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ADVA (FSE: ADV) today announced that Colt Technology Services has successfully conducted a field trial of quantum-secured transport using its FSP 3000 platform with ConnectGuard™ Layer 1 encryption technology. The trial utilized quantum key distribution (QKD) to super-encrypt live data traffic, demonstrating how mission-critical services can be protected even against large-scale attacks. Conducted over Colt’s deployed metro network in Frankfurt, the demo shows how enterprise customers can achieve secure cloud access and robustly protect sensitive data in the long term. ADVA’s partner ID Quantique also played a key role in the trial.

“With quantum computers on the horizon, it’s crucial to stay one step ahead of the hackers. This trial is a major step towards the next generation of cryptographic infrastructure and takes us closer to safeguarding our customers’ information from tomorrow’s threats,” said Oktay Tekin, director, sales engineers, DACH, Colt Technology Services. “Businesses across the world depend on the speed, reliability and robust security of our services to operate effectively and with complete peace of mind. By conducting this trial with ADVA to harness QKD technologies, we’re exploring how to protect against unprecedented challenges further down the line.”

Widely predicted to be vital to the future of network security, QKD offers the ultimate defense against eavesdropping attacks. Using the laws of physics to create tamper-proof encryption keys, it protects traffic from all threats, including data harvesting for future quantum hacking. Colt’s trial harnessed the ADVA FSP 3000, which receives quantum keys generated by ID Quantique’s QKD technology. The QKD provides quantum random bit strings. These keys are used as an additional entropy source for the ADVA encryption solution, operating at line speeds of 100Gbit/s. The solution is the first commercial high-speed optical networking product to feature a dedicated interface for quantum keys based on the ETSI key delivery standard.

“Our FSP 3000 ConnectGuard™ encryption solution ensures maximum security as well as high capacity and low latency. In recent years, it has won a fierce reputation for protecting service provider and enterprise networks across the globe. Now, this trial of QKD-secure transport is proving how vital our technology will be even in the post-quantum era,” commented Uli Schlegel, director, product line management, ADVA. “Colt’s trial shows that it’s now possible to secure high-speed connectivity over deployed operational networks against tomorrow’s quantum computer attacks. It’s a significant milestone for Colt’s enterprise customers. From sensitive financial information to valuable intellectual property, their data will soon be shielded from the cybercriminals of the future.”

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About ADVA
ADVA is a company founded on innovation and focused on helping our customers succeed. Our technology forms the building blocks of a shared digital future and empowers networks across the globe. We’re continually developing breakthrough hardware and software that leads the networking industry and creates new business opportunities. It’s these open connectivity solutions that enable our customers to deliver the cloud and mobile services that are vital to today’s society and for imagining new tomorrows. Together, we’re building a truly connected and sustainable future. For more information on how we can help you, please visit us at www.adva.com.

About Colt
Colt strives to transform the way the world works through the power of connectivity - taking what’s always been in its DNA to enable customers’ success. The Colt IQ Network connects more than 900+ data centres and over 29,000 on net buildings across Europe, Asia and North America’s largest business hubs. Colt understands today’s shifting connectivity requirements and provides agile, on-demand and secure high bandwidth networking and voice solutions to ensure enterprises can thrive. Customers include data-intensive organisations spanning over 210 cities in more than 30 countries. Colt is a recognised innovator and pioneer in Software Defined Networks (SDN) and Network Function Virtualisation (NFV). Privately owned, Colt is one of the most financially sound companies in the sector, and because of this, it’s able to put its customers’ needs at its core. For more information, please visit www.colt.net.