In a groundbreaking achievement for both Cyprus and the global cybersecurity landscape, scientists from the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) have led the successful deployment of the country’s first-ever quantum communication network. The work was carried out as part of the CYQCI (Cyprus Quantum Communication Infrastructure) project, spearheaded by Professor Kyriacos Kalli and co-funded by the European Commission and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (DMRID) of Cyprus. With the technical implementation led by Dr. Mariella Minder, the first national network of its kind established quantum key distribution (QKD) links between seven critical governmental end users, providing them with infrastructure for communication of unprecedented security.

The network’s successful operation was showcased to the nation’s top cybersecurity and policy stakeholders during the Cyprus Quantum Security Info Day, held at the Digital Security Authority (DSA) on June 5th. In a live demonstration, a video call with quantum-enhanced security was established between the DSA and the DMRID, utilising a direct QKD link between the two buildings. This real-time, tamper-proof communication highlighted the network’s readiness to secure sensitive governmental data against present and future threats. During the event, Dr. Konstantinos Katzis, core member of the CYQCI team, announced the project’s plans to acquire an optical ground station, aiming to scale the network with satellite-based links that will connect the island to the rest of the European Union. Additionally, representatives from CUT, DSA, the Cyprus Organization for Standardization, as well as significant players in the international quantum industry, including Quantum Telecommunications Italy, Adtran and Officina Stellare, presented the technology’s current landscape.

The future roadmap of CYQCI has also been outlined. The next phase focuses on establishing a secure and scalable quantum communication infrastructure that interconnects National Quantum Communication Infrastructures (NatQCIs). As part of this effort, Cyprus will be linked with Greece, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands. This initiative is closely aligned with the objectives of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), aiming to integrate both terrestrial and space-based quantum communication systems to enable secure Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) across Europe.

Securing Communications with Quantum Technology:

The deployment of the QKD network comes at a time where cybersecurity is facing a crisis. Over the last years, cyberattacks on sensitive data have been surging at an alarming rate, meanwhile, the rise of quantum computing compounds the threat landscape: research warns that quantum machines could decrypt today’s strongest public‑key encryption in seconds—some estimates suggest this could happen by 2030.

Quantum Key Distribution addresses both immediate and future risks. By harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics, QKD generates cryptographic keys that are intrinsically tamper‑evident—any eavesdropping attempt disturbs the quantum states and is instantly detected. Thus, QKD provides the only unbreakable encryption mechanism, safeguarding communications both against current cyber threats and the looming power of quantum computers.

Resultingly, the first national quantum communication network marks a pivotal step toward the nation’s digital sovereignty and cybersecurity resilience. By integrating cutting-edge QKD technologies into real-world government operations, the CYQCI project has laid the foundation for a secure, scalable, and future-ready communications infrastructure. As Cyprus continues to develop its national quantum capabilities, this milestone signals not only local progress but also a meaningful contribution to the broader European Quantum Communication Infrastructure.

For further information about the CYQCI project, visit www.cyqci.eu .