Quantum Xchange selects Zayo Group for dark fiber to deploy Quantum network in the United States
Quantum Xchange partners with Zayo Group to deploy the first Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network in the United States. As Quantum Xchange’s first strategic infrastructure partner, Zayo is providing access to 800 kilometers of existing optical fiber that spans from Boston to Washington, D.C.
Quantum Xchange will use the dark fiber to activate the initial leg of its nationwide QKD network – connecting the financial markets on Wall Street with back office operations in New Jersey.
“As tech giants pour time and resources into developing quantum computers, security has become an afterthought. We believe it is critical to establish a QKD defensive strategy before the unprecedented power of quantum computers becomes an offensive weapon,” said John Prisco, President and CEO of Quantum Xchange.
“The Zayo partnership brings us one-step closer to lighting up a dark fiber quantum network, marking the first time in history that quantum keys will be exchanged on U.S. soil in a commercial setting.”
Launched in June 2018, Phio by Quantum Xchange offers QKD-as-a-Service, providing the data protection to address the shortcomings of today’s encryption standards, which are threatened by the rise of quantum computers.
In contrast to current public-key cryptography protocols for secure data transmission, which are rooted in mathematical algorithms and inherently breakable, quantum keys rely on the fundamental properties of quantum mechanics to physically transfer a shared secret between two entities.
By wrapping an encryption key with a photonic quantum key, the photon’s multiple quantum states and no-observation attributes, prevent the transmission from being interrupted, corrupted, cloned, or exposed.
Under the terms of the Zayo agreement, Quantum Xchange has reserved 15 colocation sites along the northeast corridor. Phio by Quantum Xchange is available as an affordable monthly subscription for unlimited use of keys. The first leg of the QKD network will be operational and accepting customers in the fall of 2018.
In addition to financial pilots and proofs of concept, Quantum Xchange is already engaged with an early adopter that is establishing a link between their innovation center and legal counsel to protect intellectual property.
“With high capacity, low latency and inherent security, Zayo’s dark fiber infrastructure is ideal for the nation’s first QKD network,” said Jack Waters, CTO and president of Fiber Solutions at Zayo. “We look forward to working with Quantum Xchange on this groundbreaking initiative.”
Quantum Xchange’s Phio technology is simple to deploy, complements and enhances current encryption investments, and is not weakened by quantum computing, mathematical discoveries, or massive parallel computing networks.
Potential use cases for securing mission-critical data with QKD include financial transactions, healthcare records, critical infrastructure, IP and trade secrets, communication, database and application services, offsite backup transmissions, and more.