Sparkle, Telecom Italia's subsea cable business, has announced the successful completion of the initial trial for an international Virtual Private Network (VPN), secured with quantum encryption.
Sparkle collaborated on the project with Arqit Quantum, a specialist in quantum-safe encryption, and Telsy, another TIM cybersecurity company.
According to reports, Arqit's Symmetric Key Agreement (SKA) Platform was utilized to conduct a Proof of Concept (PoC) for establishing the first Internet Protocol Secure (IPsec) tunnel between Italy and Germany. This demonstration showcased the capability of the SKA platform to enhance the security of IPsec tunnels, ensuring robust encryption and secure communication between these two countries.
The objective was to showcase how Quantum Arqit's cutting-edge technology, utilizing the SKA protocol, can be seamlessly integrated into Sparkle's existing network infrastructure. This integration aims to develop advanced encryption methods that significantly enhance the security of data transmission across international borders. By incorporating Quantum Arqit's innovative solutions, Sparkle seeks to fortify its network against potential cyber threats, ensuring that data remains secure and uncompromised during cross-border communications.
A Breakthrough in Network Security
Sparkle emphasized the significance of their achievement with the development of a software-based, quantum-safe VPN, marking a breakthrough in network security. The SKA Platform's software-based nature enables seamless scalability across various telecom networks, ensuring the safeguarding of sensitive data against potential decryption by emerging quantum algorithms.
“Our state-of-the-art global network provides critical services to carriers, institutions and enterprises who choose and trust Sparkle’s leading secure connectivity services to keep their data safe,” said Daniele Mancuso, Sparkle's Chief Marketing and Product Management Officer. “The successful completion of the quantum-safe VPN PoC, preliminary to a large-scale commercial launch, anticipates the potential threat of quantum decryption and confirms our market leading commitment to continuously elevating the security and resilience of Sparkle’s infrastructure.”
David Williams, Arqit Founder, Chairman and CEO added, “Sparkle’s establishment of the first quantum-safe VPN between Catania and Frankfurt signifies a key milestone in telecoms cybersecurity. By leveraging Arqit's SKA Platform, Sparkle is pioneering a new era of secure communication, ensuring the resilience of critical networks against the looming threat of quantum adversaries.”
