Data traveled approximately 72,000 kilometers in a recent trial as Cyprus and Greece established their first quantum-secure satellite connection, demonstrating a new level of reach for this emerging technology, Sparkle says. The link, connecting Sparkle’s Athens data centre with Hellas Sat infrastructure in Cyprus, defends against the “store now, decrypt later” threat, where stolen encrypted data is preserved for future decryption.
“The extension of QSI to satellite communications with Hellas Sat demonstrates in practice that this technology can be applied everywhere,” said Antonella Sanguineti, Sparkle’s head of Networking, Cloud, Security & Identity Solutions, opening prospects for secure connectivity in remote areas.
QSI Technology Secures First Greece-Cyprus Satellite Data Link
Hellas Sat infrastructure now benefits from a new layer of security as the company and Sparkle completed a trial securing data transmission between Cyprus and Greece. The connection utilized Sparkle’s Quantum Safe Interconnect, or QSI, technology to protect data traveling approximately 72,000 kilometers via satellite, encompassing both the uplink from Cyprus and the downlink to Greece. This marks the first application of this quantum protection to a satellite link between the two nations, extending previous successful testing of secure IPsec connections within Greece.
QSI employs secure transmission and automatic key switching, and its software-based design allows integration with existing networks without requiring costly infrastructure overhauls, according to Sparkle. “By combining our satellite infrastructure with Sparkle’s QSI solution, we are able to explore the commercial availability of quantum-secure satellite services for businesses operating in difficult-to-access, remote and critical locations,” said Constantinos Kassianides, Hellas Sat’s director of Ground Operations.
This adaptability is expected to appeal to organizations hesitant to replace established systems for security upgrades. Hellas Sat operates three geostationary satellites and maintains telecommunications facilities covering 15,000 square metres in Cyprus and 30,000 square metres in Greece, licensed for exclusive access to the 39 degrees east geostationary orbital position.
The company provides critical satellite and terrestrial services to government and defense authorities globally, making enhanced security a priority. “This opens new prospects for protecting communications for organizations and companies that require highly secure and resilient connectivity in remote areas,” Sanguineti added.
The extension of QSI to satellite communications with Hellas Sat demonstrates in practice that this technology can be applied everywhere, on terrestrial networks, satellites and across different environments.
Antonella Sanguineti, Head of Networking, Cloud, Security & Identity Solutions at Sparkle
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