Cyprus and Greece have established their first quantum-safe satellite connection, with Sparkle of the TIM Group and Hellas Sat announcing the successful implementation of technology designed to protect against future threats from quantum computers.
The new technology was deployed on an active satellite link connecting Sparkle’s data centre in Metamorfosi, Attica, with Hellas Sat’s infrastructure in Cyprus.
According to the two companies, this is the first application of quantum-safe protection on a satellite connection between the two countries.
The total route travelled by the data reaches approximately 72,000 kilometres, as it involves transmission from Cyprus to a geostationary satellite before the signal returns to Greece.
Protection against ‘store now, decrypt later’
At the centre of the project is Sparkle’s Quantum Safe Interconnect (QSI) technology. Its purpose is to protect sensitive information not only from current cyber threats, but also from a practice known as “store now, decrypt later”.
Under this approach, an attacker can intercept and store encrypted communications today, even without being able to decrypt them. The concern is that, as sufficiently powerful quantum computers are developed, some current encryption methods could become vulnerable.
QSI uses quantum-safe key management and distribution, together with automated key renewal. As a software-based solution, it can be integrated into existing network infrastructure and security systems.
From terrestrial networks to space
The development marks the next stage of the cooperation between Sparkle and Hellas Sat. The companies had previously successfully tested a quantum-safe IPsec connection between two data centres in Greece.
The same cybersecurity approach has now been extended to satellite communications, specifically along the Cyprus-Greece route.
Sparkle’s Head of Networking, Cloud, Security & Identity Solutions, Antonella Sanguineti, said the implementation demonstrates that QSI can operate across different network environments and levels, creating new opportunities to protect communications for organisations with geographically distributed infrastructure.
Hellas Sat Director of Ground Operations Konstantinos Kassianidis described the development as an important milestone in the companies’ cooperation.
He said the combination of Hellas Sat’s satellite infrastructure and QSI technology could allow the companies to explore the commercial availability of quantum-safe satellite services, including for businesses operating in remote or critical locations.
Cyprus joins secure satellite communications
Hellas Sat operates three geostationary satellites and two telecommunications ground stations in Greece and Cyprus, while holding the rights to operate the orbital position at 39 degrees East.
Its infrastructure is used for telecommunications, content transmission and highly reliable services for businesses, governments and defence customers.
The successful test therefore has wider significance for Cyprus, as Hellas Sat’s Cypriot infrastructure has effectively become part of testing for the next generation of secure satellite communications.
The development comes as protecting critical infrastructure and government networks against the future capabilities of quantum computers takes on increasing strategic importance.
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