The connection, linking the Military University of Technology (WAT) in Warsaw and the Ministry of Digital Affairs, was demonstrated on Monday.
The development positions Poland at the forefront of quantum cybersecurity, reinforcing its status as a leader in secure digital communications within Europe, according to officials.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the significance of the achievement, telling reporters that Poland requires "quantum keys and connections" to ensure the security of its data and databases.
"This is fundamental to our national security," he said during the event at the University.
The project uses quantum key distribution (QKD), a cryptographic method that ensures secure data transmission by making eavesdropping attempts detectable.
Unlike conventional encryption, which relies on complex mathematical problems, QKD leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, making interception virtually impossible without leaving traces, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The Polish Ministry of Defense said that the quantum connection was made possible through the Modular Optical Quantum Cryptography System, developed in cooperation with WAT, the National Research Institute (NASK), and TELDAT, a Polish technology company.
The initiative was launched and overseen by Poland’s Cyber Defense Forces, with the Ministry of Digital Affairs also set to benefit from its implementation.
Kosiniak-Kamysz told a news conference that while Poland has previously experimented with quantum-based connections, this is the first time such a system has been developed exclusively using Polish technology.
"This is the safest quantum connection, protecting our confidentiality and data in an extraordinary way," he said.
He added that the government aims to implement such advanced technologies as swiftly as possible in research institutions, state agencies, businesses and security operations.
'Revolution in data security'
Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski also lauded the development, calling it a "revolution in data security."
He said that Poland now possesses the largest quantum key exchange network in Europe, connecting cities such as Warsaw, Poznań, Gdańsk, Kraków, and Wrocław.
"Without this technology, we would be forced to buy security solutions from foreign providers. That era is now over—Poland is becoming a supplier of secure communication technology," he told reporters.
Gawkowski highlighted the geopolitical significance of the advancement, noting that Poland faces frequent cyberattacks.
"We are the most targeted country in the European Union, but we know how to prevent attacks and protect ourselves," he said.
Quantum key distribution is increasingly recognized as a game-changer in cybersecurity.
According to Artur Ekert, a Polish-born quantum physicist and a professor at the University of Oxford and the National University of Singapore, quantum cryptography has shifted data security from mathematical constraints to the immutable laws of physics.
"This means that security is no longer based on assumptions about computational difficulty, but on physical principles that cannot be broken," Ekert explained.
The potential applications of Poland's quantum encryption technology extend beyond military and governmental use.
Experts predict it will play a crucial role in banking, healthcare, transportation, communications and secure data management.
This innovative technology is particularly significant for Poland’s strategic autonomy in digital security, said experts from NASK and WAT, who presented the capabilities of the new system during Monday’s event.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP, nask.pl