Scaling Quantum-Safe Security with KETS & Nokia 'Flying Kit'

Bad actors, for some time now, have been working to the slogan “harvest now, decrypt later”.

For cybercriminals, this process involves stealing and storing encrypted data until quantum computing becomes powerful enough to decode even the most robust digital defence systems. The day that happens is known colloquially as "Q-Day".

Rushing to beat this ticking clock, Nokia and KETS Quantum Security have struck up a partnership that will see them work together to accelerate the future of scalable quantum key distribution (QKD). The companies hope this will a significant moment in the development of commercially viable quantum-safe communications. 

The collaboration sees KETS integrating its cutting-edge technology into Nokia’s global "flying kit" quantum-safe demonstration system, designed to showcase end-to-end secure networking for critical infrastructure clients.

“The threat of a quantum computer is not a distant problem, it is a clear and present danger,” says Lisa Matthews, CEO of KETS Quantum Security.

“The moment a large-scale quantum computer is operational, every piece of sensitive data currently being transmitted, from financial transactions to national security secrets, will be exposed.

“Industry is calling out for a solution to this significant challenge. So seeing our chip-based technology live in Nokia’s global demo systems is a testament to the progress we are making. 

“By embedding our hardware into the very fabric of Nokia’s ecosystem, we are proving that quantum-safe security is no longer a laboratory experiment, it is a commercially viable reality that can be deployed across global transport layers today.”

Scalable security with Chip-based QKD 

The KETS Quantum Security’s QKD v2.0 unit has a server-sized, security-hardened architecture that has already undergone trials with BT. 

Integrated silicon chips are used in QKD v2.0 to generate quantum keys while maintaining low size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements, making it suitable for large-scale telecoms deployment.

Nokia is a leading supplier of optical networking systems for critical telecoms infrastructure and has integrated this technology into its quantum-safe architecture. 

The system combines Nokia’s high-capacity optical networking equipment with KETS QKD modules, enabling secure key generation and consumption across complex networks.

This approach allows telecom operators to adopt quantum-safe communications using commercially available technologies. 

It also supports a smooth transition from existing infrastructure, reducing barriers to adoption while ensuring future readiness against quantum computing threats.

Flying kit demonstration

Nokia’s ‘flying kit’ demonstration system is used worldwide to showcase advanced security solutions to Tier-1 operators and government clients. 

The integration of KETS technology strengthens this platform by delivering a full quantum-safe stack that demonstrates how secure networks can be deployed at scale.

The system has already been showcased internationally, including at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where it highlighted the practical applications of quantum-safe networking in defence and critical infrastructure environments.

“We are pleased to welcome KETS Quantum Security into our quantum-safe partner ecosystem,” says Carlo Corti, MEA Optical Networks Technical Sales Leader at Nokia. 

“By integrating their Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) hardware into our global ‘flying kit’ demonstration system, we are showing how their technology participates in a holistic, end-to-end solution to provide quantum-safe outcomes. 

“This collaboration proves that mission-critical communications can be protected using a scalable architecture that fits seamlessly into existing technology stacks.”

Building the foundation for a quantum-safe telecoms future

The collaboration between Nokia and KETS Quantum Security reflects a broader industry shift towards preparing networks for the era of quantum computing. 

By combining chip-based QKD hardware with established optical networking systems, the partnership demonstrates how quantum-safe security can be implemented without requiring a complete overhaul of existing infrastructure.

This approach is particularly important for telecom providers and government agencies that require secure, resilient communications systems. 

As quantum computing advances, the ability to deploy scalable encryption solutions will become essential for protecting sensitive data in transit.

Together, Nokia and KETS are positioning quantum-safe communications not as a distant concept but as an achievable, deployable reality for global networks today.