The unique system is designed to protect critical infrastructure, including telecommunications networks and was funded by a £1.7 million Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) government contract.

Awarded by Innovate UK, as part of the National Quantum Technologies Programme, BT was consulted on the design of the product to establish the requirements and specifications as an end-user and is now testing the prototype. Working with BT, the KETS’ team has developed a product that is the size of a server, making it small enough to be used in mission critical infrastructure globally. 

Critically, the new system transitions to integrated silicon chips for its optical heart, enabling KETS’ roadmap to continue to shrink the system, while also being able to source chips at scale. This is a crucial development that makes QKD a viable commercial offering. The scalability is particularly critical for telecommunications providers to create an effective defence against a quantum attack.

Current cybersecurity defences are completely vulnerable to a quantum computer, and KETS has developed a fully chip-based solution that provides high levels of security, robustness and networking flexibility. 

Chris Erven, CEO and Co-Founder at KETS Quantum Security commented: “As enterprises begin to truly appreciate the importance of quantum-safe security, deployment of QKD is becoming more and more widespread. In response, we have delivered a QKD system that meets the key demands of security, reliability and flexibility at scale for the first time. This breakthrough will help ensure that the UK will be at the heart of the global supply chain for commercial quantum-safe communications.”

Andrew Lord, Head of optical networks and quantum research, BT commented: “As the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications, security is a key priority and developing quantum secure communications is an important part of that. The prototype Quantum Key Distribution system that KETS has developed, is an example of a leading technology that has the potential to offer protection against current and future cyber threats, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data in the quantum era. We look forward to putting it through our tests and acceptance procedures, which are crucial for every product we deploy into our network."

Callum Stirling, innovation lead for quantum technologies at Innovate UK commented: “KETS have delivered a prototype ‘system hardened, scalable, and interoperable’ QKD product to Innovate UK. The £1.7 million project – under an SBRI contract – has very successfully accelerated the product development, showing that the UK is a leader in quantum network components and systems. 

“Supporting innovators to work with end users ensures that quantum networking technologies are developed with consideration to operational environments, which helps reduce potential barriers to commercial adoption.”

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