SpeQtral, SafeQuantum, Antaris and QTD Systems announce the establishment of a Satellite QKD Receiver Node in New York City to enable global quantum safe communication for Financial Services

New York City, NY, 11 Jun 2024 – SpeQtral, SafeQuantum, Antaris and QTD Systems announce the establishment of a satellite Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) receiver node at the historic carrier hotel data center building, 60 Hudson Street in New York City. This strategic initiative aims to enable the secure establishment of quantum keys between Singapore, the United States and Europe, enabling quantum-safe communications that will safeguard global financial transactions.

SpeQtral is launching two Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) satellites, SpeQtre and SpeQtral-1, to provide global coverage of quantum-based symmetric key delivery services. With this new collaboration, SpeQtral and its partners will add New York City to the network.

It is widely known that state actors and malicious entities are capturing and storing encrypted data, together with the mathematics-based public keys used to encrypt them. With the impending advances in quantum computing capabilities, these mathematical public encryption keys will eventually be cracked, breaking the encryption, and exposing critical data. QKD and other quantum-safe technologies are crucial to ensuring that our present and future communications remain secure.

QKD is a revolutionary technology that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to securely distribute encryption keys. Unlike classical encryption methods, QKD protocols provide unconditional security against the decryption threat posed by powerful quantum computers and also ensures that any attempt to intercept or eavesdrop on the key exchange process will not allow any of the secret key to be revealed. This provides unparalleled security and robust protection for financial services, sovereign communications and other highly sensitive data channels.

Whereas optical fibre-based QKD typically has distance limits on the order of 100km, satellite-based QKD extends the reach of quantum key distribution by using low earth orbit satellites to generate and relay QKD keys over long distances. By deploying such trusted nodes in space, it becomes possible to establish secure, global communication links across continents.

The new satellite ground quantum node will be housed at the QTD Systems data center in 60 Hudson Street, the landmark building in New York City renowned for its extensive global telecommunications infrastructure. Located in Lower Manhattan, 60 Hudson Street has a rich history as a former Western Union building and is now one of the world's most important telecommunications hubs. It offers robust fibre connectivity between financial services institutions (FSIs), global network providers, sub-sea cables, digital terrestrial and satellite networks in New York and New Jersey, making it an ideal location for the new quantum optical ground station.

As part of the collaboration, SpeQtral will provide their satellite QKD technology and quantum optical ground stations. SafeQuantum will deploy the optical ground station in the QTD Systems data centers and link the ground station to existing Quantum Secure fibre networks, while Antaris will provide its TrueTwin™ Software framework to support mission planning and simulate the scaling of global key distribution for future commercial service.

Quotes from Leadership

Chune Yang Lum, CEO of SpeQtral, said, "We are thrilled to partner with SafeQuantum and Antaris to bring international QKD to QTD Systems in 60 Hudson St. This initiative marks a significant step towards creating a secure global communication network that leverages the power of quantum technology."

John Prisco, CEO of SafeQuantum, added, "The establishment of a satellite quantum node at this historic site underscores our commitment to advancing quantum-safe security solutions. By enabling secure key exchange between major financial hubs, we are helping to protect the integrity of financial transactions worldwide."

Karthik Govindasamy, CTO of Antaris, said "Our collaboration with SpeQtral, SafeQuantum and QTD Systems highlights the importance of innovative partnerships in driving technological advancements. We are excited to contribute to this groundbreaking project that will enhance the security of global communications."

Peter Feldman, CEO of QTD Systems, said “This significant milestone of the commercialisation of Quantum technologies roadmap cannot be underestimated, and QTD’s investment in what we are calling the ‘Quantum ready’ data center and network technologies are now being realized by this partnership”.

About SpeQtral

SpeQtral is a pioneer in quantum communications, with a vision to build and deploy global quantum networks. SpeQtral develops quantum-secure products and services designed to protect sovereign and enterprise telecommunication networks against classical, as well as future quantum based cyber-attacks. Combining both terrestrial and space-based solutions, SpeQtral aims to secure the world's networks against the threats posed by the imminent quantum revolution and drive innovation in quantum communications that will serve as the building blocks for the future quantum internet.

About SafeQuantum

SafeQuantum specializes in quantum-safe security solutions that leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to provide unparalleled data protection. SafeQuantum's technologies are designed to secure critical infrastructure and sensitive communications against emerging cyber threats.

About Antaris

Antaris is a California-based space technology company that offers a cloud-based software platform to help companies design, simulate, and operate satellites and space missions:

Antaris Design Studio: A cloud-based tool for designing and configuring missions and satellites

TrueTwin^TM simulation environment: A high-fidelity simulation environment for = missions and satellites

SatOS^TM: An open, modular set of libraries and services for spacecraft

About QTD Systems

QTD Systems is a New York based colocation data center, fiber optic network and global carrier interconnect hub operator. QTD Systems subsidiaries also include Novum Industria. Novum Industria is a high energy physics research spinoff of MIT specializing in superconductivity, cryogenics, high field magnets, compact cyclotrons and energy efficient power storage and transport.

Media Contacts

SpeQtral Email: joanne@speqtral.space

SafeQuantum Email: john.prisco@safequantum.com

Antaris Email: adam.figueira@antaris.space

QTD Email: info@qtdsystems.com