{"id":1936,"date":"2026-03-02T09:13:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T09:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toshiba.eu\/quantum\/?post_type=news&p=1936"},"modified":"2026-03-02T09:13:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T09:13:27","slug":"toshiba-enables-global-connectivity-for-quantum-safe-networks-with-bridging-solution","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.toshiba.eu\/quantum\/news\/toshiba-enables-global-connectivity-for-quantum-safe-networks-with-bridging-solution\/","title":{"rendered":"Toshiba Enables Global Connectivity for Quantum-Safe Networks with Bridging Solution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2 March 2026<\/strong> \u2014 Toshiba Europe Limited today announced a new capability that enables the interconnection of geographically separated quantum key distribution (QKD) networks without the need for additional hardware. This capability allows network operators to offer their customers global quantum\u2011resistant connectivity, enhancing protection of sensitive data against retrospective decryption by future quantum computers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cQ\u2011day\u201d \u2014 the point at which quantum computers are able to break the cryptography protecting today\u2019s online communications \u2014 is widely anticipated to occur within the coming years. Even before Q\u2011day arrives, malicious actors are already carrying out so\u2011called \u201charvest now, decrypt later\u201d attacks, in which sensitive data is collected and stored with the intention of decrypting it once large\u2011scale quantum computers become available. Information with long\u2011term sensitivity, including financial records, medical data, corporate intellectual property, and government secrets, is therefore already at risk, creating an urgent need for a transition to quantum\u2011safe networking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s network security relies largely on public\u2011key cryptography, which is based on mathematical problems that are difficult \u2014 but not impossible \u2014 to solve. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer, however, will be able to solve all commonly used public\u2011key algorithms efficiently. This vulnerability has driven strong interest in quantum\u2011based security protocols that have been proven secure from first principles and are immune to all computational attacks, including those using quantum computers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fibre\u2011based QKD technology is now sufficiently mature to support networks spanning an entire country or even a continent. However, until now it has not been possible to create the intercontinental links required to build a truly global quantum\u2011safe network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In parallel with ongoing satellite-based QKD developments, which extend the global interconnection of terrestrial QKD networks by establishing QKD links between ground stations and orbiting satellites, Toshiba is introducing a new capability that uses quantum\u2011resistant algorithms, known as post-quantum cryptography (PQC), to bridge geographically separated QKD networks, as illustrated in the figure below. This approach addresses the immediate and urgent need for global connectivity today, and fully integrates into Toshiba\u2019s existing quantum\u2011safe networking solution with current hardware. It is available from today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Illustration of a typical scenario to bridge geographically separated QKD networks using post\u2011quantum key exchange.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile QKD can already support national\u2011scale networks, many customers are seeking quantum\u2011safe connections to offices located on the other side of the world,\u201d said Dr Andrew Shields, Vice President of Toshiba Europe and Head of its Quantum Technology Division. \u201cBy integrating post\u2011quantum algorithmic key exchange into our Key Distribution System platform, we can deliver quantum\u2011safe connectivity across networks spanning multiple continents. Within the next few years, we will further enhance our platform by integrating satellite\u2011based QKD, expanding the options available for global quantum\u2011safe communications.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deployment of a hybrid architecture that combines both QKD and PQC algorithms enables network operators to distribute quantum\u2011resistant keys across a global network. These keys can then be used to deliver quantum\u2011safe encrypted data services worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toshiba\u2019s PQC bridging solution delivers clear business benefits for network operators, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n