From left to right: Elizabeth Agudelo (TU Wien), Gláucia Murta (TU Wien), Patrick Andriolo (TU Wien), Esteban Vásquez Giraldo (TU Wien), Max Riegler (qtlabs), Matej Pivoluska (qtlabs).

Our world is becoming increasingly digital and interconnected. Every day, vast amounts of data are transmitted over the internet – from online shopping to highly sensitive banking transactions. However, the classical encryption systems that have protected our data so far are reaching their limits. Quantum computers, which are currently under development, could soon render these systems obsolete. As an example, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) working assumption is that quantum computers will exist by 2030. This creates an urgent need for new solutions to protect against cyberattacks.

This is where Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) comes into play. Based on the physical principles of quantum mechanics, QKD enables messages to be encrypted in a way that even the most powerful quantum computers cannot break. While this technology holds great promise, it is not without challenges. In theory, QKD is absolutely secure, but in practice, there are still some hurdles. The devices used for QKD today are not perfect, leading to potential security vulnerabilities.

To address this gap, our project will develop security proofs that account for the imperfections of today’s quantum devices while still guaranteeing quantum-safe communication. Our aim is to develop a software toolkit capable of analyzing the security of QKD systems under realistic conditions, making QKD viable for everyday use.

In addition, the project also examines legal and ethical considerations. The University of Innsbruck team, led by Prof. Dr. Matthias C. Kettemann, is exploring how standards and regulations can be developed to ensure fairness and reduce digital inequalities. 

With this interdisciplinary approach, the initiative represents a major step toward making QKD an integral part of modern cybersecurity solutions.