On 17 March 2025, a briefing was held at the Military University of Technology Club regarding the presentation of research results on the use of quantum key distribution in state communication systems, attended by:

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski, Deputy Ministers: Stanisław Wziątek and Paweł Olszewski, Director of the Ministry of National Defence Operations Centre Artutr Kołosowski, Commandant-Rector of WAT Brig. Gen. Prof. Przemysław Wachulak, Commander of the Cyber Defence Force Brig. Gen. Karol Molenda and representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Digital Affairs. The conference was also attended by representatives of the OptoKrypt project, including the Director of the Institute of Optoelectronics of the Military University of Technology, Dr. Krzysztof Kopczyński, and the project manager, Col. Marek Życzkowski.

“If we want to be safe, we must protect the databases we have. Data confidentiality, personal data protection and the use of this in all areas of our lives are essential today. Data, knowledge and access to databases are becoming the most attractive currency and often the most attractive prize in the world. This is something we must absolutely protect. (...). Poland has invented the best quantum connection system to protect the sensitivity of transmitted data”, said Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak during the meeting.

The pioneering connection between the Military University of Technology and the Ministry of Digital Affairs using Polish quantum key distribution (QKD) circuits has demonstrated the potential for increasing digital independence and the potential of domestic devices in the field of secure communications. The developed quantum communication technology guarantees complete protection against interception of transmitted information.

“The connection that has been made is proof that Poland is becoming a leader in the development of quantum technologies. The development and implementation of our own QKD system strengthens our national security and digital sovereignty. Thanks to Polish solutions, we are able not only to protect key ICT systems, but also to develop an innovation-based economy”, emphasised Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski.

A NEW STANDARD OF DIGITAL SECURITY

The tool – the System of Modular Optical Quantum Cryptography Circuits – was developed as part of the OptoKrypt project undertaken by a consortium comprising the Institute of Optoelectronics of the Military University of Technology (leader), TELDAT Sp. z o.o. and NASK National Research Institute, and financed by the National Centre for Research and Development. The project was initiated and supervised by the Cyber Defence Forces, which have set new standards and directions for the development of data transmission security. The solution is a key element of the European satellite communications initiative.

The recipient of the first Polish encrypted quantum connection was the Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs, Paweł Olszewski. “The change in encryption principles made possible by quantum key distribution technology opens a new chapter in cybersecurity. Introducing this technology to public administration systems, the defence sector and the economy will allow us to build a communication infrastructure that is resistant to future threats. Thanks to QKD technology, we can create communication systems resistant to the most modern threats, including attacks using quantum computers. It's a revolution in thinking about data security”, said Minister Olszewski.

QKD technology guarantees full resistance to the interception and eavesdropping on transmitted information. In the face of growing cyber threats, including those posed by quantum computers, the ability to secure strategic communications is crucial for national security.

POLAND AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE EUROPEAN QKD NETWORK

The pilot connection between the Military University of Technology and the Ministry of Digital Affairs used two QKD sets and a trusted node in NASK. The connection was secured with IPSEC protocol with AES-256 encryption, which ensures full resistance to data interception.

Poland is actively participating in the European EuroQCI project, which aims to create a quantum infrastructure for European Union countries. The EuroQCI project is part of a broader initiative in which the European Commission is working with all 27 European Union member states and the European Space Agency (ESA). It involves the construction of terrestrial fibre-optic QKD networks that will connect via satellites.

Our country has the largest quantum key exchange network in Europe - 1,770 km of fibre-optics on which the backbone of the QKD network connecting Warsaw, Poznań, Gdańsk, Kraków and Wrocław has been built. On a global scale, this puts us in second place, right after China. Polish entities such as Creotech, PSNC and Exatel are also involved in the development of quantum communication technology and are co-creating European cybersecurity standards.

Thanks to the efforts of Polish scientists, the first version of QKD technology is ready for use. “The Military University of Technology is developing basic research in the field of photonic quantum circuit technology and conducting research and implementation projects concerning quantum technologies in military applications and the economy. For over 70 years, we have been educating military and civilian personnel, preparing future engineers – commanders, as well as a new generation of computer scientists – quantum computer scientists. And all this to improve the security of our country”, said Brig. Gen. Prof. Przemysław Wachulak, Commandant-Rector of WAT.

The OptoKrypt project opens up new perspectives not only for the administration, but also for the financial and defence sectors. QKD technology can also be used in future-oriented solutions such as quantum satellite communications and ultra-secure cloud services. This is a breakthrough in the protection of strategic state data and critical infrastructure. The system enables encrypted communication between data centres and public administration institutions, and ensures the highest level of security for information exchange.

Compiled by: Ewa Jankiewicz

source: Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Digital Affairs

translation: Rafał Bzdak

photo: Mariusz Maciejewski, Piotr Konieczny