NEC Announces Groundbreaking Integration of Quantum Key Distribution with IOWN Open APN for Enhanced Security in High-Speed Data Transmission
Tokyo, Japan – July 28, 2025 – NEC Corporation has achieved a significant milestone in the evolution of secure and high-performance communication networks with the successful demonstration of integrating a quantum key distribution (QKD) system into its large-capacity optical transmission system for the IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) Open APN (All Photonic Network). This pioneering achievement marks the world’s first successful co-existence of high-speed data communication and quantum-secure key generation within such an advanced network environment.
The demonstration, announced today, showcases NEC’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of network technology, particularly in addressing the growing demand for both ultra-fast data transfer and robust security in the face of emerging cybersecurity threats. The IOWN initiative, spearheaded by NTT and involving key industry players like NEC, aims to create a new network infrastructure that leverages photonics technology to achieve unprecedented levels of performance and efficiency.
Key Highlights of the Achievement:
- World’s First Integration: NEC’s success in integrating a QKD system with its high-capacity optical transmission testbed for the IOWN Open APN represents a groundbreaking advancement. This signifies a critical step towards realizing truly secure communication at the network infrastructure level.
- Co-existence of High-Speed Data and Quantum Security: The core of this achievement lies in the ability of the integrated system to simultaneously handle high-capacity optical data transmission and the generation of quantum keys. This is a complex technical challenge, as QKD systems typically require dedicated optical paths and can be sensitive to signal interference. NEC’s solution demonstrates a sophisticated approach to managing these requirements.
- Enhanced Security for IOWN: The integration of QKD provides an intrinsically secure method for generating and distributing cryptographic keys. Unlike traditional methods that rely on computational complexity, QKD leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, meaning that any attempt to intercept the keys will inevitably disturb the quantum state, alerting the users to the intrusion. This offers unparalleled security against even the most advanced eavesdropping techniques, including those powered by future quantum computers.
- Foundation for Future Secure Networks: This successful demonstration lays the groundwork for deploying highly secure communication capabilities within the IOWN Open APN. As the IOWN network evolves to support a wider range of services, from ultra-high-definition video streaming to real-time industrial control and remote surgery, the need for its foundational security layers to be equally advanced becomes paramount. NEC’s QKD integration directly addresses this critical requirement.
- Contribution to a Safer Digital Society: By enabling secure data transmission within next-generation networks, NEC’s innovation contributes significantly to building a safer and more trustworthy digital society. This is particularly important in an era where data breaches and cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
The IOWN Open APN is envisioned as a network that utilizes photons for all processing and transmission, aiming to achieve significantly lower latency, higher bandwidth, and greater energy efficiency compared to current networks. The integration of QKD into this advanced photonic network architecture ensures that the inherent benefits of IOWN can be realized without compromising security.
NEC’s continued investment and research in quantum technologies, coupled with its expertise in optical networking, position the company as a leader in shaping the future of secure and high-performance communication. This recent achievement underscores NEC’s dedication to innovation and its role in building the secure infrastructure necessary for the digital advancements of tomorrow. Further details on the technical aspects and future deployment plans are expected to be shared as development progresses.
世界初、IOWN Open APN向け大容量光伝送システム実証環境に量子鍵配送システムを統合、高速データ通信と鍵生成との共存に成功
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日本電気 published ‘世界初、IOWN Open APN向け大容量光伝送システム実証環境に量子鍵配送システムを統合、高速データ通信と鍵生成との共存に成功’ at 2025-07-28 02:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.