From 28 September to 2 October 2025, at the 51st European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC 2025) in Copenhagen, Denmark, HellasQCI participated in the PETRUS large-scale demonstration, presenting a mini-EuroQCI quantum communication network developed jointly by several European national teams. The demonstration featured a multi-domain QKD network connecting seven EU Member States (Greece, Malta, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg), together with two simulated space links. Across this federated setup, nine different QKD systems and eight independent Key Management Systems (KMSs) were deployed. Most KMSs adopted an early version of the ETSI GS QKD 020 interoperability specification, enabling seamless inter-domain key exchange in a heterogeneous multi-vendor environment. Throughout the exhibition, a range of QKD-enabled applications was demonstrated, including quantum-encrypted video communication, quantum-secure data backup, and QKD-enhanced VPN services—highlighting the maturity of quantum-secure technologies for real operational scenarios.

HellasQCI Greek Domain Demonstration

Within the Greek domain, the HellasQCI team—comprising experts from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (GRNET), and QUBITECH—presented a four-node dynamically switched QKD network featuring SRAM-PUF–based authentication. The setup integrated two QKD device pairs from ThinkQuantum along with four SRAM-PUF authenticators developed by QUBITECH. A PUF-based key generation protocol enabled the creation of fresh authentication keys at each switching event. The experiment successfully demonstrated automated switching between two QKD links while maintaining a QKD-enhanced IPsec video conference. This intra-domain demonstration showcases a scalable approach to authentication and dynamic routing—two fundamental challenges as quantum networks grow into larger, interconnected EuroQCI infrastructures. HellasQCI remains committed to supporting innovation, interoperability, and real-world deployment of quantum-secure communication technologies across Europe. More information on the ECOC25 conference here.