Quantum communication: Key to the digital security of the future!

Quantum communication: Key to the digital security of the future!

Today, April 1, 2025, it was announced that the Humboldt University of Berlin (HU) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have won the “Grand Challenge of Quantum Communication” competition of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The innovation project will run for three years and aims to improve the security of digital infrastructures through the use of quantum communication. This is particularly relevant given advancing developments in quantum computing technology, which could make traditional encryption obsolete. In this context, quantum tokens will also be developed that enable quantum-based, secure authentication. The HU will particularly focus on the development of quantum memory architectures in diamond and the theoretical aspects of quantum tokens. The scientific management is Prof. Dr. Tim Schröder was taken over by the HU, supported by Dr. Gregor Pieplow and Prof. Dr. Kai Müller.

How forschung-it-sicherheit-kommunikationssysteme.de explains, quantum communication is a central element for the security of digital infrastructures. Quantum tokens enable secure authentication of system users, based on the principle that quantum information cannot be copied without being changed. These technologies offer significant advantages over current security tokens and could have applications in a variety of areas, including secure authentication, data storage and digital signatures.

Research and development in the field of quantum memory

A central concern of the project is the further development of quantum memories, which are crucial for the realization of quantum tokens. The BMBF competition highlights the challenges facing research, particularly the often limited lifetime of quantum states in current storage methods. The various approaches to storing quantum information, such as trapped atoms and color centers, currently show storage times in the millisecond range, which are not sufficient for quantum token systems. Targeted research is needed to improve the lifetime and coherence times of these systems, which can pave the way to a more robust quantum communications infrastructure.

Along with the improvement topics, the need for technical connectivity to existing infrastructures is also pointed out. In order to make the success of the funded projects measurable, a jury of experts is planned to evaluate progress based on specific key figures. The plan is to achieve measurable improvements in the development of quantum memory or systems for realizing quantum tokens within three years.

Events and networks to promote quantum communication

Interest in quantum communication in Germany is being met with a series of events aimed at showcasing advances and highlighting new perspectives. For example, on October 17, 2024, the “Forum for Quantum Communication in Germany” took place at Fraunhofer HHI. State Secretary Dr. Roland Philippi emphasized the importance of the BMBF's research funding to strengthen Germany's IT security and technological sovereignty. In this context, initiatives such as QuNET, which have already worked on demonstrating quantum-secure data transmission, are presented, while QR.X highlights quantum teleportation as a key technology for future quantum networks.

Similarly, the SQuaD initiative aims to promote technology transfer and build an innovation ecosystem in the field of quantum communications. The event included discussions on research, development and applications, as well as educational and career opportunities in this promising field. Kiosks that presented research projects in quantum communication also enabled participants to find out directly about the latest developments.

The developments in quantum communication not only represent progress in research, but also an opportunity to improve the digital security infrastructure in Germany. Further information on this is available on berlinquantum.de available.