Toshiba Clip | Toshiba’s Commitment to a Quantum-Safe Singapore

Singapore’s Vision for a Quantum-Safe Future

As a global business hub with advanced digital connectivity, Singapore is well-positioned to lead the charge in quantum-safe technologies. The 2023 Singapore Digital Connectivity Blueprint highlighted an 8.6% expansion in the Information and Communications (I&C) sector in 2022, emphasizing the importance of resilience and security in a digital world.

One key challenge is the potential impact of advancements in quantum computing on current encryption methods. As quantum computers evolve, they possess the capability to break many of the traditional encryption algorithms that safeguard sensitive data today. To address this, Singapore plans to implement quantum security technologies such as Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) through initiatives such as the National Quantum-Safe Network Plus (NQSN+) to enhance the resilience of its digital infrastructure against these emerging threats.

In February 2024, The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued an advisory urging financial institutions to monitor quantum developments and adopt strategies to transition to quantum-resistant solutions, emphasizing the need for crypto-agility to adapt to emerging threats. In July 2024, MAS is also committing up to S$100 million under the Financial Sector Technology and Innovation Scheme (FSTI 3.0) to enhance quantum and artificial intelligence capabilities in financial services. This initiative includes establishing a Quantum Track to support financial institutions in building quantum capabilities in Singapore.

Building on these initiatives, in October 2024, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Heng Swee Keat, visited Toshiba Corporation in Japan. This visit aimed to facilitate the exchange of valuable insights on artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and sustainability practices, furthering international collaboration in these critical areas and enhancing Singapore’s role in the global dialogue on technological advancement and sustainable development.

Toshiba’s Leadership in QKD Technology

With over 30 years of pioneering research in quantum technology, Toshiba has successfully transitioned from academic exploration to the commercialization of QKD systems. The recent opening of a £20 million Quantum Technology Centre in Cambridge, UK, dedicated to developing quantum-secure networking solutions, highlights Toshiba’s commitment to advancing QKD technology. This initiative addresses the critical need for secure communication in an era where traditional encryption methods are increasingly vulnerable.

Toshiba’s QKD technology employs the principles of quantum physics to create encryption that is resilient against potential decryption attempts, including those from future quantum computers. By leveraging this advanced technology, Toshiba ensures robust data security, maintaining confidentiality and integrity amid emerging quantum threats. The market potential for QKD is substantial, as highlighted in the report “QKD Market Opportunities 2024: The Quantum-Safe Path to the Quantum Internet” underscores the significant potential for growth in the QKD sector, projecting an increase from $269 million in 2024 to $2.3 billion by 2029. This trajectory highlights the expanding demand for quantum-secure solutions and aligns seamlessly with Toshiba’s strategic initiatives in developing advanced QKD technologies.

To enhance quantum security, Toshiba is forming global partnerships with key players in telecommunications and financial services. Notably, initiatives in Singapore aim to deploy QKD systems that will strengthen national digital infrastructure and foster public confidence in digital communications. By aligning its technological advancements with Singapore’s societal objectives, Toshiba is committed to ensuring that both citizens and businesses can securely navigate the complexities of the digital landscape while protecting sensitive information from potential quantum threats.

Strategic Partnerships Driving Quantum Security

In 2021, Toshiba formed a strategic partnership with SpeQtral to develop cutting-edge quantum security solutions, combining Toshiba’s fiber-based QKD expertise with SpeQtral’s satellite QKD innovations. This collaboration has yielded significant achievements, including the launch of Southeast Asia’s first Quantum Networks EXperience Centre (QNEX) for demonstrations and prototyping.

“Building the future of business starts with strong, strategic partnerships, which are essential for expanding capabilities, accessing new markets, and driving innovation. This philosophy underpins Toshiba’s collaboration with SpeQtral, which has created market awareness and provided end-users access to our advanced technology.” Mr. Anandaraman Sankaran (Anand), Senior Manager of QKD Technical Marketing at Toshiba Asia Pacific, emphasized the importance of collaboration.

Mr. Lum Chune Yang, Co-founder, and CEO of SpeQtral added, “Our collaboration has significantly boosted our capacity to innovate in quantum communications, demonstrating the real-world impact of our QKD solutions. In 2022, our collaboration with Toshiba achieved significant milestones, including the first quantum-secure link across SPTel’s diverse and scalable fiber network, validating the value of quantum-secure networks for sensitive data. We showcased Toshiba’s fiber QKD technology at key events, generating interest from various industries. This engagement sparked discussions with government, defense, and critical infrastructure sectors, emphasizing the crucial role of quantum security in protecting sensitive communications.”

“As we advance the NQSN+ project, SpeQtral, SPTel, and Toshiba are committed to making quantum security a reality in Singapore. Alongside SPTel, we’re rolling out QKD services for commercial enterprises and collaborating with the MAS and major banks like DBS, UOB, HSBC, and OCBC. These pilot trials will help increase the practical awareness of QKD in protecting sensitive data and building confidence in its use within the financial sector.” said Chune Yang.

This partnership seeks to create robust hybrid quantum networks that integrate satellite and terrestrial QKD, enhancing security against evolving cyber threats while positioning Singapore as a leader in quantum security innovation. The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SpeQtral and ST Engineering is a pivotal move to accelerate the development of tailored quantum-safe solutions, ensuring robust protection for sensitive communications across sectors such as finance and government while positioning Singapore as a leader in quantum security in Southeast Asia.

Toshiba measures the success of its QKD initiatives primarily through customer adoption and application integration. From a market perspective, success is gauged by how effectively customers implement QKD within their existing infrastructures, which reflects the technology’s practical utility and relevance. As more organizations integrate QKD into their network, the growth in applications not only showcases the technology’s effectiveness but also highlights its crucial role in enhancing communication security against emerging quantum threats. This customer-centric approach ensures that Toshiba’s innovations meet real-world needs, driving both market growth and technological advancement.

Countering misconceptions about its impracticality in current networks, Anand shared that QKD has already been successfully deployed in various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which are developing strategies to enhance communication security. He highlighted practical applications such as securing data center interconnections and connections between main offices and data centers, demonstrating that QKD can effectively integrate with existing network infrastructures while evolving to meet future demands.

Anand emphasized the necessity for “fast, secure and reliable transmission of data” across various sectors, asserting that QKD will safeguard communications against future quantum computing threats as Singapore aims to become quantum-safe within the next decade. Chune Yang echoed this sentiment, “I see Southeast Asia as a significant player in the future of quantum security, with Singapore leading the charge as an ideal test bed for developing and scaling quantum-secure solutions. Our partnership with Toshiba and ST Engineering is central to this vision. By combining our strengths in satellite and terrestrial QKD with ST Engineering’s cybersecurity expertise, we are able to create quantum-safe solutions that protect critical communications and transactions for regional banks and governments.” Their sharing highlighted the collective efforts to protect critical communications and transactions, ensuring the region remains at the forefront of global quantum security advancements.

Envisioning a Quantum-Safe Singapore

Toshiba’s roadmap for quantum security in Singapore is anchored in the NQSN+ initiative. The implementation of the NQSN+ project will strengthen Singapore’s digital infrastructure, enabling organizations to protect their data against emerging vulnerabilities. This initiative not only enhances security but also builds public confidence in digital communications, fostering sustainable economic growth and innovation. Looking ahead, Singapore’s commitment to a quantum-safe future is promising, as it positions itself as a leader in quantum technologies.

At this stage, customers are primarily exploring the potential impact of quantum technologies on their business operations, particularly quantum-secure communications. One key challenge is understanding how the security properties of QKD are being practically implemented in the existing system. To address this, Toshiba and SpeQtral are engaging closely with customers to provide clearer insights into how QKD enhances their security posture. Additionally, customers have emphasized the need for seamless integration between QKD and their existing network infrastructure. This feedback has influenced the Toshiba’s strategy to foster greater collaboration with the broader ecosystem of network providers, encryption vendors, and system integrators.

Toshiba’s nearly 150-year legacy of innovation is a driving force behind its mission to secure the future in the quantum era. As a pioneer in quantum technology, Toshiba has developed leading expertise in Quantum Cryptography and is dedicated to protecting sensitive data as quantum computing becomes more prevalent. With Toshiba’s dedication to advancing QKD systems and forming strategic partnerships, the collaboration aims to create a secure digital landscape. Together, these efforts will ensure that both citizens and businesses can navigate the complexities of the digital world with confidence, paving the way for a resilient and secure future in the quantum era.