Quantum computers – already a reality and advancing toward broader commercial availability – will be able to compromise widely used network security almost instantly. At Canada’s only quantum-safe testbed, Kirq, Numana and Nokia have had a breakthrough, successfully testing a blueprint that can be used to strengthen Canada’s long-term digital security and critical infrastructure, including networks used by banks, hospitals and governments. This milestone showcases Canadian excellence in quantum innovation and reinforces the country’s ability to lead in securing next-generation digital systems.
Through interoperability testing on the Kirq platform, the teams validated practical, repeatable network architectures showing that multiple next-generation encryption technologies can operate together within a unified system. This is a critical step toward deploying quantum-resilient infrastructure across the country.
The testing on Kirq focused on solving the practical challenge of how to upgrade complex, multi-vendor networks without disrupting their operations. Rather than replacing entire systems, the teams validated repeatable blueprints showing how quantum-safe encryption, secure key generation and quantum key distribution can be integrated into existing network environments. This reduces the cost, operational risk and technical uncertainty associated with preparing national infrastructure for the post-quantum era while ensuring Canadian innovation is aligned with international standards.
The results further demonstrate the momentum of Canada’s quantum communications ecosystem and its ability to translate research into deployable capability. The collaborative testing brought together Numana, Nokia Canada and Canadian partners Crypto4A and evolutionQ. NowQuantum, a Canadian leading-edge startup, independently validated the network blueprint by deploying its Full-Stack, Quantum-Safe First Architecture (FS-QSFA). In a first for quantum-safe networking, NowQuantum demonstrated that not only data in transit, but the real-time execution of business-critical applications can be secured within a quantum-safe environment, a key requirement for operators of critical infrastructure preparing for post-quantum migration.
Conducted in late 2025, the Kirq testing integrated Canadian-developed cryptographic capabilities, including secure key generation and quantum key distribution orchestration, alongside quantum-safe optical networking technologies. The tests also support future integration with satellite-based quantum communications initiatives such as QEYSSat, enabling ultra-long-distance quantum-secure connectivity.
This progress reflects a broader international effort to address the emerging quantum threat. As quantum computing advances globally, jurisdictions in Europe and elsewhere are moving to strengthen cryptographic sovereignty and prepare critical systems for long-term security. Kirq’s ability to demonstrate that trusted Canadian solutions work will help keep Canada on the leading edge of quantum development and strengthen collaboration with trusted partners from Canada and like-minded nations.
The collaboration between Numana, Nokia Canada and their partners will continue throughout 2026, expanding testing activities on the Kirq testbed and supporting organizations as they assess exposure, validate solutions and plan for the adoption of quantum-safe networking at scale.
This effort builds on existing partnerships, including work to integrate space-to-terrestrial quantum encryption, and reinforces Canada’s role as a centre for practical quantum-safe testing focused on protecting long-term digital infrastructure.
