Encryption & Key Management , Security Operations

Singtel Rolls Out Singapore's First Quantum-Safe Network

Singapore-based telecom giant Singtel launched the country's first quantum-safe network across its identity and authentication platforms to help enterprises protect data from potential future quantum computing-related threats.

See Also: Shift From Perimeter-Based to Identity-Based Security

The telecommunications company on Thursday offered to let enterprises to test the National Quantum-Safe Network Plus, or NQSN+ technology, prior to adoption.

"Though quantum computing may be in its nascent stages, it's fast gaining velocity across critical information sectors, especially banking, healthcare and government services, and we want to ensure Singapore is ready for it," said Ng Tian Chong, CEO, Singtel Singapore.

The company's announcement follows growing concern that threat actors may use quantum computers, once they are available, to easily break existing enterprise encryption, rendering today's authentication platforms powerless against targeted attacks.

A KPMG survey of enterprise leaders in the United States found that over four in five leaders believe "it's only a matter of time" before cybercriminals use quantum computing to decrypt and disrupt existing cybersecurity protocols. This capability could put essential infrastructure operators, financial services and personal data handlers at great risk.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore in February cautioned banks and financial institutions against the threat of quantum technology, urging them to "migrate away from the vulnerable cryptographic algorithms to post-quantum cryptography without significantly impacting their information technology systems and infrastructure."

MAS in July proposed to commit an additional S$100 million under its Financial Sector Technology and Innovation Grant Scheme to help financial institutions build quantum capabilities. A portion of the fund will go towards post-quantum cryptography development and quantum key distribution technologies that will help safeguard critical data.

Realizing the need for a national quantum-safe network to secure enterprise data, Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority chose Singtel to develop the NQSN+ technology in November 2023 as part of the country's 10-year Digital Connectivity Blueprint.

The telecom giant said the network incorporates both post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution technologies, with the latter distributing encryption keys only known between shared parties. The network also will use trusted managed network services and fiber networks to establish "a reliable, secure and resilient nationwide quantum key distribution network."

Singtel said it signed memoranda of understanding with Cisco, Fortinet and Nokia earlier this year to integrate the quantum-safe network with Cisco's routing platform, Fortinet's firewalls and Nokia's optical devices. Enterprises can use these technologies to integrate quantum-safe solutions with their existing network and security infrastructure.

Singapore's NQSN+ is now Southeast Asia's first nationwide quantum-safe network, but countries across the subcontinent have begun initial efforts to bring in similar technologies to prepare for quantum computing, which is believed to be less than a decade away.

CyberSecurity Malaysia in December signed an agreement with SatisGuard Malaysia to use the Taiwan-based Chelpis Quantum Safe Migration Center's expertise in post-quantum cryptography to research and develop next-generation cybersecurity solutions to address quantum threats effectively.