The creation of the first inter-university quantum network beyond the Urals began

2024: Conclusion of an agreement on the creation of the first inter-university quantum network beyond the Urals

In April 2024, an agreement was signed on the creation of the first inter-university quantum network beyond the Urals. The project will be implemented by InfoTeCS, whose equipment and cryptographic protection will be used in the construction of the network.

The coordinator of the creation and designer of the inter-university quantum network will be Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radio Electronics (TUSUR), the press service of the university reports. According to the rector of TUSUR Viktor Rulevsky, on the basis of a single quantum network, it is planned to conduct fundamental and applied research, developments in the field of quantum communications, developments and the implementation of network educational programs.

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On the one hand, this (quantum network) is, of course, a big plus in terms of providing data transmission, a large stream... On the other hand, this makes it possible to conduct various kinds of scientific research, educational processes, create common protocols, form information through quantum technologies, - explained the rector of TUSUR, without specifying the timing of the project.

It is only known that as part of the first stage of the construction of a quantum network in 2024-2025. it is planned to implement a pilot project providing for the creation of a network core, which is proposed to be placed on the sites of TUSUR, TSU, TPU and SibGMU. Further development will be carried out by connecting new nodes to the network core - in the future, expanding the network beyond the Tomsk region.

The quantum network will be based on the technology of quantum key distribution, which is based on the procedure of safe generation and distribution of symmetric keys using the law of quantum physics and special protocols. The technology has resistance to the actions of cybercriminals with arbitrary computing power, including a quantum computer, protection against compromise by the system administrator, etc., explained in TUSUR.^[1]

2023: Developing a booth to study quantum cryptography

Within the framework of the grant support program "InfoTeCS Academy," the development of a hardware platform for a training stand for studying the physical principles and protocols of quantum cryptography was successfully completed. The project was proposed by researchers and students of TUSUR and implemented jointly by the employees of InfoTeCS and specialists of the Tomsk University. InfoTeCS announced this on February 2, 2023. The stand presented in the InfoTeCS Academy is a training layout of real quantum information protection systems and visualizes their work. With its help, young specialists in the field of information security (information security) will be able to master the current direction. The layout allows you to demonstrate many aspects inherent in real quantum key distribution (KPC) systems.

Quantum cryptographic systems allow you to protect vulnerable communications from attacks using a quantum computer. The development of such systems is actively carried out by Russian researchers and specialists. One of the first companies that managed to certify the CRK system and bring products based on them to the market is InfoTeCS. Based on their experience in the development and certification of CRK systems, InfoTeCS experts actively support scientific research and development of information security specialists in this area.

InfoTeCS within the framework of the InfoTeCS Academy project has been implementing programs to support young scientists, specialists and students for more than 11 years to find relevant ideas and solutions in the field of information protection. The work of InfoTeCS Academy and its cooperation with leading universities of the country are aimed at creating a favorable environment for scientific activities, developing personnel potential and increasing interest in information security. As of February 2023, more than 50 projects have been implemented in the areas of applied and basic research, as well as advanced technologies within the framework of information security and IT.

{{quote 'The potential of our cooperation is high, most of the software development center for software and hardware complexes InfoTeCS is concentrated in Tomsk. In addition, the construction of a pilot production site has begun, at which, among other things, the CRK systems will be produced. We hope that our joint work with TUSUR will help attract young specialists to the industry and allow them to grow and develop in information security for the benefit of our country, "said Andrey Chapchaev, CEO of InfoTeCS. }}

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