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The CroQCI Project, as part of the broader European initiative EuroQCI, enables the use of quantum mechanics to secure communication channels through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocols. This revolutionary approach provides a level of security that surpasses the capabilities of conventional encryption methods, making data resistant to decryption even with the application of future quantum technologies.
Dark optical fibers, the backbone of the infrastructure, currently connect the Ruđer Bošković Institute, the Institute of Physics, the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences at the University of Zagreb, the Croatian Scientific and Educational Cloud, the Croatian Academic and Research Network - CARNET, the University Computing Centre of the University of Zagreb - SRCE, Odašiljači i veze, and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing at the University of Zagreb. These locations were strategically chosen to ensure optimal network connectivity and support for advanced quantum infrastructure.
“The implementation of the dark fiber network represents a significant technological milestone for Croatia. This infrastructure ensures resilience against threats to classical encryption methods and lays the foundation for Croatia’s integration into the European quantum network. The CroQCI project places Croatia on the global quantum communication map and opens the door to further research and application development in the field of quantum technology. Its success reflects the efforts of the domestic scientific and technological community in creating infrastructure that addresses the challenges of the 21st century,” said Prof. Dragan Peraković, Ph.D., leader of the Terrestrial Optical Infrastructure work package in the CroQCI project and head of the Department of Information and Communication Traffic at the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences.
The foundation of the quantum network is the quantum layer, which encompasses the integration of all devices, infrastructure, processes, and protocols necessary for the efficient implementation of QKD protocols. The quantum layer consists of QCI nodes for the generation and distribution of quantum keys, data transmission infrastructure between nodes, and an optical ground station (OGS) that enables connectivity with global satellite systems.
“An evaluation conducted after the implementation of the dark fiber network confirmed the high functionality and reliability of the infrastructure, ensuring its readiness for future upgrades and expansion. Thanks to precise planning and implementation, the network meets current technical requirements and is prepared for adaptation to future technological changes and integration with global quantum networks,” emphasized Asst. Prof. Ivan Cvitić, Ph.D., head of the Laboratory for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics at the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences.
CroQCI is a national project focused on developing an experimental quantum network as a foundation for the secure distribution of quantum keys (QKD). The project aims to ensure Croatia’s technological resilience to global cyber threats and secure its integration into the European quantum communication ecosystem.
The CroQCI consortium consists of research and scientific institutions, higher education institutions, public institutions, and state-owned companies authorized by the Ministry of Science and Education to develop the national QCI network and prepare and implement the national Croatian Quantum Communication Infrastructure – CroQCI project.
The project coordinator is the Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET, and the partner organizations are the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB), the University of Zagreb University Computing Centre (SRCE), the Institute of Physics (IFZ), the University of Zagreb - Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER), the University of Zagreb - Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences (FPZ), Odašiljači i veze (OIV), and the Office of the National Security Council (UVNS).
The project is valued at €9.9 million and is funded by the Digital Europe program and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
For more information about the project, visit https://www.carnet.hr/projekt/croqci/.
EuroQCI is a European initiative to develop secure communication networks based on quantum technologies. The goal of this project is to establish a high level of security in the communication systems of EU member states for transmitting sensitive data through highly secure channels that are resistant even to future cyberattacks involving quantum computers.
For more information about the initiative, visit https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/hr/policies/european-quantum-communication-infrastructure-euroqci.