In the near future, Singapore will establish a national quantum security network to provide strong cybersecurity for critical infrastructure.
Singapore's Quantum Engineering Initiative (QEP) will begin nationwide trials of quantum secure communication technologies that will provide robust cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and companies that process sensitive data. Funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) in Singapore, the project was launched with the participation of 15 private or government collaborators.
The three-year project will work with public and private partners to experiment with commercial technologies, conduct an in-depth assessment of security systems, and develop guidelines to support enterprises in adopting quantum security technologies.
Member of the Singapore National Quantum Security Network (NQSN), image from QEP
Cybersecurity is the cornerstone of today's digital society. Because quantum computers can be millions of times more powerful than traditional computers in some tasks, public key cryptography, which protects billions of bits of data, is highly vulnerable to quantum computers in the future. While today's quantum computers aren't yet enough to crack encryption, as technology advances, solving the problem of cybersecurity threats has become more urgent.
Quantum secure communication technology aims to combat quantum computing threats through specialized hardware and new cryptographic algorithms. They can provide security for critical infrastructure such as government communication systems, energy grids, and companies that process sensitive data in healthcare, finance, and more.
Singapore's new National Quantum Security Network (NQSN) will also deploy commercial technologies, conduct trials with government agencies and private companies, conduct in-depth assessments of security systems, and develop guidelines to support businesses in adopting these technologies.
"Singapore can continue to grow in quantum science, optics and cybersecurity engineering to become a trusted global provider of quantum network technology and services. In the National Quantum Safety Network, we will introduce quantum innovation into deployed optical networks and work with industry partners to study operational issues such as the reliability and adaptability of quantum networks. Charles Lim, NQSN Chief Scientist (PI), said.
He will work with three other project leaders to achieve this goal. The Quantum Engineering initiative, led by the National University of Singapore, will receive SG$8.5 million in funding over three years. Collaborators will bring expertise, equipment, and specific use cases.
"The new National Quantum Security Network aims to enhance cybersecurity in critical infrastructure with advanced quantum technologies and solutions, while providing a robust platform for public-private partnerships." Ling Keok Tong, Director of the Smart Nation and Digital Economy (NRF) Division, said, "This marks the superiority of technology transformation and is one of the key initiatives of the RIE2025 initiative, which will drive Singapore's continued transformation into a reliable digital innovation hub. ”
The joint research team expects to develop the first nodes within a year, and at the same time establish a quantum security laboratory to carry out advanced quantum security vulnerability research and quantum security design. They will also conduct workshops with potential users to better understand user needs and build awareness of new technologies.
The initial deployment plan was to install 10 network nodes across Singapore to connect to fiber optics, including 2 at the National University of Singapore, 2 at NTU Singapore, and the rest in government and private sectors. These nodes will be connected to form a public network, allowing organizations to experience quantum-secure communication technologies and provide specialized application testing for government and private networks.
Another experimental node at the National University of Singapore will attempt to establish free connections with public networks, developing technology to extend secure connections to locations where fiber optics cannot be connected or movable, such as ships. The network will offer the following technologies: quantum key distribution — a hardware method of quantum-secure communication that requires the installation of devices to create and receive quantum signals ; and post-quantum cryptography — which resists attacks by quantum computers by upgrading software to run new cryptographic algorithms.
As Singapore's quantum engineering initiative progresses, the project will welcome more new partners, including the National University of Singapore's previously announced partnerships with Amazon Cloud Technology (AWS) and France's Thales, which will contribute to Singapore's national quantum security network.
QEP works with Thales, image from QEP