The security of quantum cryptography is based on laws of nature, differently from the encryption techniques currently employed, which rely on complex mathematical methods. The basic aim of this project is to provide a commercially exploitable replacement of these techniques. Within four years, near-to-market prototypes for encrypted connections between two points will be developed, as well as a high performance network infrastructure for demonstrating in practice a fully secure transmission system. SECOQC is among the first group of Integrated Projects of the 6th Framework Programme of the EU and it is the first one coordinated by an Austrian research centre, namely ARC Seibersdorf Research GmbH, business unit of Quantum Technologies. In order to attain these ambitious goals, quantum physicists will co-operate with network specialists and experts in the fields of cryptography, electronics, IT security and software development.
Financial experts and economic consultants will collaborate to the project for economical aspects and transfer of the technology to industrial products.
The project started in April 2004 and it is divided into eight sub-projects, each one covering an essential aspect. After an initial phase of 18 months, the different quantum cryptography approaches investigated have been analyzed and assessed with regards to their technical and economical suitability. It was consequently decided how to build within the project a prototype network for demonstrating the effectiveness and the superiority of quantum cryptography in actual operating conditions.
On October 8th, 2008 in Vienna, after four and a half years, the first commercial communication network using unbreakable encryption based on quantum cryptography marked the successful completion of the project.