Colt and Ciena Achieve Record Quantum-Safe Data Transmission

Colt Technology Services and Ciena have successfully completed a quantum-safe data transmission trial between New York and London, achieving an unprecedented 800Gb Ethernet service rate over a distance of 6900km. This trial utilized Ciena's WaveLogic 6 Extreme encryption solution, demonstrating that high-speed data can be securely transmitted while protecting against potential quantum threats. The urgency of this trial stems from the risk of 'harvest now, decrypt later' attacks, where adversaries store intercepted data for future decryption as quantum computing capabilities advance, potentially as soon as 2030. Research indicates that 69% of organizations recognize quantum computing as a significant risk to current encryption methods. The trial is part of a series of quantum-safe milestones by Colt and Ciena, showcasing their commitment to enhancing data security in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The results indicate readiness for quantum-safe services across various sectors, including finance and healthcare.

Key Points: • Colt and Ciena achieved 800GbE quantum-safe data transmission over 6900km. • The trial addresses the risk of 'harvest now, decrypt later' attacks from quantum computing. • 69% of organizations view quantum computing as a serious threat to encryption methods.