Polish military researchers have presented the country's first encrypted communication technology based on quantum mechanics, the ministers of defense and digital affairs have announced.
On Monday, the Military University of Technology (WAT) in Warsaw achieved a significant milestone by establishing the first secure digital connection using exclusively Polish-made devices, dubbed by the Ministry of National Defense as “Poland's first quantum communication.”
The event was attended by Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski.
The defense ministry said on its website that the system had been developed through a collaboration between WAT, the Polish Research and Academic Computer Network (NASK) and the Polish defense technology firm TELDAT. The project was launched and supervised by the Cyberspace Defense Forces of the Polish Army.
During a press briefing that followed the event, Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the connection employed the so-called quantum key distribution (QKD) method which allows fully secure communication using encrypted data, making it inaccessible to unauthorized entities, including foreign intelligence agencies.
He said that the government intended to rapidly implement such state-of-the-art technologies across various sectors, including science, public administration, business, and defense, as a cornerstone of national military and civilian security.
The event was attended by Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski.
The defense ministry said on its website that the system had been developed through a collaboration between WAT, the Polish Research and Academic Computer Network (NASK) and the Polish defense technology firm TELDAT. The project was launched and supervised by the Cyberspace Defense Forces of the Polish Army.
During a press briefing that followed the event, Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the connection employed the so-called quantum key distribution (QKD) method which allows fully secure communication using encrypted data, making it inaccessible to unauthorized entities, including foreign intelligence agencies.
He said that the government intended to rapidly implement such state-of-the-art technologies across various sectors, including science, public administration, business, and defense, as a cornerstone of national military and civilian security.
“We need quantum communication [...] in all areas of our life,” said Kosiniak-Kamysz.
“Data and access to databases must be protected.”
Gawkowski said that Poland would no longer need to rely on foreign suppliers, a development that is particularly crucial given the current geopolitical climate.
“We are the most [cyber] attacked country in the European Union, but we possess the knowledge to thwart these attacks and ensure our protection.”
According to Gawkowski, few countries have successfully integrated military and civilian technologies. He said that Poland had at its disposal “the biggest quantum key distribution network in Europe,” second only to that of China.
“Data and access to databases must be protected.”
Gawkowski said that Poland would no longer need to rely on foreign suppliers, a development that is particularly crucial given the current geopolitical climate.
“We are the most [cyber] attacked country in the European Union, but we possess the knowledge to thwart these attacks and ensure our protection.”
According to Gawkowski, few countries have successfully integrated military and civilian technologies. He said that Poland had at its disposal “the biggest quantum key distribution network in Europe,” second only to that of China.
