Skip to main content

€10m Irish project to focus on quantum tech’s potential to secure data

€10m Irish project to focus on quantum tech’s potential to secure data

Irish quantum tech experts are coming together on a project that aims to future-proof communications infrastructure across Europe.

Research from universities and institutes around the country will pool their expertise to examine how infrastructure and the transmission of data in Ireland can be secured using quantum technology.

It is particularly timely given the spate of cyberattacks that have impacted Irish organisations in recent years, including the ransomware attack on the HSE last year.

The €10m IrelandQCI project is part of an EU-wide quantum communications infrastructure programme called EuroQCI, and is being funded by the Irish Government and the EU.

The 30-month-long project will be led by the Waterford-based Walton Institute, which is a part of South East Technological University.

Walton Institute director Dr Deirdre Kilbane hailed the project as “the first steps towards building the quantum internet in Ireland”.

“It’s an exciting time for Waterford and the south-east region to be playing such a key role in ensuring the security of data and communications in Ireland,” she added.

Other partners include researchers at Trinity College Dublin and the Tyndall Institute at University College Cork, with support from University College Dublin and Maynooth University.

All are member institutions of Connect, the Science Foundation Ireland research centre for future networks and communications.

Other participants in IrelandQCI include the Irish Centre for High-End Computing as well as HEAnet and ESB Telecoms.

Experts will collaborate on integrating secure quantum devices and systems into our conventional communication infrastructures.

They will do this by enhancing ESB Telecoms’ optical fibre network with an additional layer of security – all based on quantum physics principles such as quantum key distribution (QKD).

QKD is a secure communication method for exchanging encryption keys known between shared parties alone. The communication method uses properties of quantum physics to exchange cryptographic keys in such a way that is provable and guarantees security.

The IrelandQCI team will establish QKD infrastructure along a major network backbone from Dublin to Cork via Waterford using a quantum channel integrated with existing classical fibre systems.

The team will also trial 16 quantum security technology advanced use cases with stakeholders across public, industry and academic sectors.

The project will see experts engage with these stakeholders to educate them on the potential of quantum tech. This engagement will be in the form of lectures, training, workshops and visits to quantum technology laboratories.

The IrelandQCI team is also hoping to further build up the quantum tech ecosystem in the country.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth, TD, said: “We are lucky to have such a high quality and committed community of experts in Ireland in the quantum field.

“Developing Ireland’s first quantum communications infrastructure network will bring quantum technologies a step closer, and will help Irish businesses, public agencies and the general public to start building the skills needed to benefit from the quantum internet,” he added.

Blathnaid O’Dea

This article originally appeared on www.siliconrepublic.com and can be found at: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/quantum-tech-communications-ireland-eu-irelandqci-project
 

You Might Also Be Interested In

  • 3 minute read
  • Published 26/06/2025

IDA Ireland welcomes expansion of IBM’s software developer presence in Waterford

Up to 75 high-quality software engineer jobs to be created to support IBM’s European and global mainframe businessThe Irish Government and IDA Ireland today welcomed IBM's announcement to create additional high-value jobs in the south-east of the country. The leading global technology company will, over the next three years, hire up to 75 software engineers, dedicated to research and development (R&D), based in Waterford. The roles will focus on cutting-edge innovation for IBM Z, the infrastructure powering 70% of global transactions by value*. The Waterford software engineers will closely collaborate with IBM’s R&D teams around the world, from designing processors and firmware to software development and advancing the Linux operating system. Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment, said: “IBM’s decision to expand its operations in Waterford with the creation of up to 75 highly-skilled software engineering roles is very welcome news. This investment is a strong endorsement of the South-East region’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and advanced technology. It also reflects the government’s commitment to supporting regional development and fostering strong partnerships between industry and academia. I commend IBM for its continued confidence in Ireland and for its collaboration with the South-East Technological University to build a future-ready workforce.” Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, said: “I welcome this very positive development which underscores Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for businesses to invest in and to expand R&D operations. This strengthens IBM’s long-standing presence in Ireland where it employs thousands of people today. IBM has cited Ireland’s strong talent pool as a key factor in allowing the company to grow here, which reflects the significant increased investment by the Government in education, and particularly our third-level sector, over recent years. We are committed to supporting research and development in our tech sector, including in the South-East of our country, to drive balanced, regional development and economic growth.” In addition to the expansion of R&D functions in Waterford, IDA Ireland also welcomes IBM’s decision to deepen its collaboration with the South East Technological University, to develop a technical skills ecosystem with a focus on mainframes and Linux. Nathan Cullen, country general manager, IBM Ireland, said: “I am delighted to see our footprint in Ireland evolve further. This is testimony to the deep talent pools available across the country, upon which we have steadily built our business, including mainframes which are a cornerstone of global transactions. IBM has now operated in Ireland for nearly 70 years and this milestone investment for the region also speaks volumes about the ecosystem that has built up around the South Eastern Technical University.” IBM last year announced the recruitment of another 800 high-tech jobs in Ireland by 2027, cementing the country’s position as a globally strategic location for the company. These new roles, spanning R&D, digital sales and Consulting operations, will be spread across Dublin, Cork and Waterford. Michael Lohan, IDA Ireland CEO, said: “This R&D investment announced by IBM is fantastic news for Waterford and indeed the South East Region. This investment is also closely aligned to Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation, 2025-29, where IDA has committed to positioning Ireland at the centre of cutting-edge global technological innovation in the next five years. I warmly welcome this decision by IBM and assure them of IDA’s continued partnership.”

Read more
  • 4 minute read
  • Published 30/04/2025

Canto Strengthens European Innovation Hub with Strategic Investment in Ireland

The DAM and PIM leader expands its Cork technology center to accelerate AI and R&D initiatives

Read more
  • 3 minute read
  • Published 30/04/2025

Galway chosen as location of game-changing AI software hub

Pioneering platform aims to revolutionise food & beverage checkouts at iconic venues worldwide

Read more