Malta at the forefront of quantum technologies in Europe

Melita and Merqury pioneering security products offering unprecedented levels of security

Melita Limited announced the successful use of quantum encryption using equipment in a Malta first, which will provide an unsurpassed level of cybersecurity.

This development is part of the cutting-edge Prism (Physical Security for Public Infrastructure in Malta) project, co-funded by the EU, which plans to deploy quantum-secured communication links over standard telecommunications networks, and which will guarantee data security against current and future cyber threats.

Melita Limited is supporting Merqury Cybersecurity Limited in the development of quantum technologies for secure cryptography and key distribution, from quantum key distribution that offers a secure method for key exchange to quantum-safe cryptography that provides resilience against hacking and eavesdropping.

This event marks a significant advancement in the development of a nationwide quantum communication network, with equipment located within Melita’s two data centres.

Prof. André Xuereb, founder and CEO of Merqury Cybersecurity Limited, said: “Standard encryption used today relies on mathematics to encrypt and decrypt data. Encrypted data can be copied by attackers and decrypted if they have sufficient computing power or the encryption method is weak. Quantum cryptography ensures that data can only be decrypted by parties which share the quantum keys. Additionally, the data cannot be copied or viewed by a potential hacker without this being noticed.”

Harald Roesch, CEO of Melita Limited, said: “We are delighted to have achieved another milestone in the journey towards enhancing cybersecurity. Quantum cryptography represents the future of secure data transmission and we are proud to have demonstrated its potential on our infrastructure.”

As part of its work in Prism, Melita is providing a network of several connections for the transmission of quantum-encrypted data on its fibre network, across Malta and eventually on to Sicily, across Melita's undersea cable. This infrastructure will continue to serve as a crucial testing ground for validating the effectiveness of quantum security and encryption services within a functional telecommunications network, using solutions designed by Merqury.

Prism is co-funded by the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme grant agreement number 101111875. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.