29/01/2025

Deimos Engenharia demonstrates Quantum-Secure Network for Military Applications

DISCRETION Project Delivers Breakthrough Demonstration of seamless, unbreachable communication across tactical, strategic and cross-border operations

Brussels, 29th January 2025. – Deimos Engenharia (Portugal) has successfully demonstrated cutting-edge secure communications technologies developed under the DISCRETION project, during an event held today at the Portuguese Embassy (REPER headquarters) in Brussels. This milestone event showcased technological advancements poised to enhance the European defense infrastructure.

Portugal’s Secretary of Defense Álvaro Castelo Branco and Portuguese Ambassador to the European Union Pedro Costa Pereira, alongside representatives from European institutions and member states, attended the event, emphasizing its significance for European security.

DISCRETION is a €6 million initiative led by Deimos Engenharia,supported by the European Commission under the European Defence Agency´s European Defence Industrial Development Programme, the Portuguese Government and private sector partners. By integrating a Software-Defined Network with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technologies, DISCRETION seeks to enhance the security of military networks against emerging threats, particularly in the post-quantum era.

The demonstration event showcased the project’s capabilities in providing secure communication solutions, highlighting the ability to ensure reliable, encrypted messaging in challenging environments, protect sensitive military communications and enable secure, cross-domain communication. These advancements underline the system’s versatility and strength in enhancing security for a range of applications.

DISCRETION exemplifies European excellence in connecting advanced technologies to build a more secure, organized and resilient future for European Defence.

Collaborative European Leadership

The DISCRETION project, short for “Disruptive SDN Secure Communications for European Defence,” is an initiative aimed at developing an optical Software-Defined Network (SDN) solution to ensure secure, robust and resilient communications for European defense applications. It is led by Deimos Engenharia (Portugal),  and brings together a consortium including Portugal (Altice Labs, Adyta, Instituto de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Técnico), Spain (Telefónica ID, Polytechnic University of Madrid), Austria (Austrian Institute of Technology) and Italy (NEXTWORKS).

Innovative Solutions for Defense Communications

At the core of DISCRETION’s innovation is a Software-Defined Networking solution that is poised to revolutionize secure communications by enabling:

  • Resilience Against Attacks: Enhanced network security against emerging threats as cyberattacks
  • Agility and Flexibility: Easy integration of new devices and technologies into defense networks.
  • Quantum Key Distribution (QKD): Secure and tamper-proof communication channels with secret keys shared between remote parties via a quantum channel

The incorporation of Quantum Key Distribution technologies provides an unprecedented and disruptive level of security, offering protection against eavesdropping and ensuring robust communication for Europe’s defense infrastructure.

Deimos Engenharia is 100% property of Indra, which, in the framework of another European project, is also working to provide the European Commission cyber risk management center with secure communications prepared to withstand future quantum computer attacks. Indra is equipping it with the COMSec secure communications system based on technology developed entirely by the company and prepared to meet the challenges posed by the quantum world.

 

About Indra

Indra is a leading Spanish multinational and one of the foremost global defence, air traffic and space companies that, through technology, protects our current way of life and anticipates the needs of the future. Its committed team of experts, its in-depth knowledge of the business and the latest technologies and its unique innovation and systems integration capabilities make it the trusted technology partner for key operations and digitalization for its customers around the world. Thanks to its leadership in major European programs and projects, as well as its spirit of collaboration and partnership strategy, it drives the industrial and innovative ecosystem in these sectors.

After acquiring Deimos in 2024, Indra has incorporated its capabilities, which, together with those of Indra Space, allow it to expand the upstream target offering of its Space NewCo and access European programs, and leverage the presence of its subsidiary on their domestic markets.

Share this post
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp