Cyprus and Greece establish quantum-secure satellite data connection

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus and Greece have established their first quantum-secure satellite data connection, Sparkle and Hellas Sat announced on Wednesday. The connection is intended to protect communications against future cyber threats.

Satellite connection

The connection links Sparkle’s data centre in Metamorfosi, Athens, with Hellas Sat infrastructure in Cyprus. It follows earlier successful testing of a secure IPsec connection between two data centres in Greece.

The latest trial extends the protection to a live satellite connection between the two countries. Data travels approximately 72,000 kilometres through the satellite system, including an uplink from Cyprus to the satellite and a subsequent downlink to Greece.

The companies said this was the first time this type of quantum protection had been applied to a satellite connection between Greece and Cyprus.

Security technology

The system uses Sparkle’s Quantum Safe Interconnect (QSI) technology, designed to protect sensitive information from the “store now, decrypt later” threat, in which encrypted data is stolen and retained until more powerful computers may be able to decrypt it.

QSI uses secure transmission and automatic switching of encryption keys. Its software-based design allows integration with existing networks and security systems.

The companies said the technology allows businesses to strengthen security gradually across multiple locations without replacing existing infrastructure.

Company statements

“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,” said Antonella Sanguineti, Sparkle’s head of Networking, Cloud, Security & Identity Solutions.

“This opens new prospects for protecting communications for organisations and companies that require highly secure and resilient connectivity in remote areas,” she added.

For Cyprus, the development is relevant because of Hellas Sat’s satellite infrastructure and its role in providing communications services from the island.