IT Security, Quantum Communication Infrastructure10. November 20252 min reading time

Quantum cryptography: security in a new dimension

The development of powerful quantum computers is progressing rapidly - and with it, the challenge for today's encryption technologies is growing. Methods such as RSA, previously the backbone of secure communication, could be compromised by quantum attacks in a very short time. For companies, this means that now is the right time to build digital resilience for the future.CANCOM Austria is already developing solutions that are prepared for a quantum-safe world - with innovative technologies, practical use cases and strong research partnerships.

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Post-quantum & quantum physics: two paths to security

To secure communication in a post-quantum world, we at CANCOM rely on two complementary approaches:

✔️ Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)
PQC is based on novel mathematical methods - such as lattice problems or error-correcting codes - and protects data against both classic and future quantum attacks. Advantage: The algorithms do not require any special hardware and can be integrated into existing systems.

✔️ Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
QKD uses physical processes of quantum mechanics for secure key distribution. As soon as an eavesdropping attempt is made, the quantum state changes - the attack is detected before any damage is done. This achieves a completely new level of security.

CANCOM Use Case #1: Secure rail communication thanks to QKD

In the field of railroad infrastructure and control center communication, CANCOM is already thinking about tomorrow. With the Multifunctional Dispatcher (MFD), a solution has been developed that is QKD-based and thus creates post-quantum computer-secure communication channels.

Johannes Groisz, Head of Mission Critical Communications Systems at CANCOM Austria, puts it in a nutshell: "We are setting the course for the communication of the future today. Encryption must grow with us - with the threats and the technologies."

CANCOM Use Case #2: HSM backups via quantum-resistant VPN

In a second, pioneering use case, cryptographic material is transferred from a hardware security module (HSM) to a backup HSM via a quantum-resistant VPN connection.

Two things come together here:

A QKD system that securely transmits the symmetric key,
and a quantum-resistant tunnel that can withstand both classic and quantum-based attacks.

Andreas Neuhold, Converged Security CANCOM Austria: "If an HSM is lost - through physical destruction or cyberattack - it must be ensured that the keys are not lost. With this solution, we ensure that cryptographic material remains synchronized and secure - even in the post-quantum world."

ARNIKA: Open source innovation from Austria

With ARNIKA, CANCOM Austria has developed its own extension for WireGuard VPN, which enables quantum-safe communication by combining QKD and PQC. The system generates hybrid encryption keys and ensures maximum resilience - even if a protection mechanism is compromised. ARNIKA is available as open source under Apache 2.0 on GitHub and stands for collaborative development in the field of cyber security.

Researching together - protecting together

CANCOM is a partner in the QCI-CAT project led by AIT - embedded in the EU-wide EuroQCI initiative. The aim is to integrate quantum communication technologies into existing infrastructures and to apply standards such as ETSI014. In this way, we are making a contribution to the Europe-wide protection of critical systems - interoperable, sustainable and future-proof.

Why act now?

Regulatory requirements, for example in the USA or as part of NIS2 in Europe, set clear deadlines for the introduction of quantum-safe systems. Companies that invest at an early stage create decisive advantages for themselves: