KISTI Demonstrates Quantum Key Service Technology at ECOC, Europe’s Largest Optical Communications Conference
- Laying the Foundation for Global Research Collaboration with Domestic and International Quantum Cryptography Networks Institutions -

 The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) announced that the Quantum Network Research Center became the only Asian research team to present a technical demo at ECOC (European Conference on Optical Communication), Europe’s largest optical communications conference.

 The 50th-anniversary ECOC conference was held in Frankfurt, Germany, from September 22 to 26, 2024, with a total of eight technical demos being approved. On September 24, local time, KISTI researchers presented a demo of the Smart Quantum Key Supply System (SQSS), a technology for secure quantum key distribution in practical quantum cryptographic communication services.

 The demo showcased the encryption of securely shared quantum keys using Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) over PQC-TLS, which is more secure than traditional TLS (Transport Layer Security) technology. The demonstration also successfully highlighted a technology capable of intelligently and flexibly selecting encryption methods based on whether the user’s system supports Post-Quantum Cryptography.

 Lee Wonhyuk, Director of the Quantum Network Research Center, stated, “This technology is a core development for practical quantum cryptographic communication services, contributing technically to the activation of the quantum cryptography industry.” He added,“I expect that this demo will serve as a stepping stone for establishing a global research collaboration framework with domestic and international institutions involved in quantum cryptographic communication networks.”