In a Netweek magazine article (January 2025) titled “Priority on Innovation and Security at GRNET”, Dimitris Mitropoulos, Head of the Reliability Engineering Directorate (GRE) at GRNET and Assistant Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), underscores the critical role of security and innovation in shaping GRNET’s next-generation network. He also highlights the organization’s exploration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technologies to safeguard cryptographic key exchanges against future quantum computers that would compromise today’s encryption methods.

As GRNET upgrades its network from 10 Gbps to 100 Gbps, both performance and security enhancements take center stage. The articles highlights key aspects of this transformation:

  • High network availability: The upgraded infrastructure ensures uninterrupted connectivity through alternative routing paths, maintaining resilience even in the face of technical failures or cyberattacks.
  • Enhanced defensive mechanisms: Advanced threat prevention and rapid response strategies are being designed to counter evolving cyber threats such as DDoS and application-layer attacks.
  • Real-time monitoring systems: Automated defensive measures powered by real-time monitoring tools will enable a proactive and dynamic security framework.
  • Possible QKD integration: GRNET is exploring the adoption of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) to future-proof cryptographic key exchanges against quantum computing threats.

 

These advancements are designed to create a secure, high-performance network that  fosters innovation and collaboration among academic and research institutions while ensuring full compliance with European and national cybersecurity regulations.

A significant step in this direction is the HellasQCI project, coordinated by GRNET under the guidance of the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance with EU co-funding. This initiative aims to deploy Greece’s national quantum communication infrastructure aligning with the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI). By doing so, Greece is positioning itself at the forefront of quantum technology offering advanced solutions for securing critical communication infrastructures.

More than a technological milestone, HellasQCI represents a strategic opportunity for Greece to lead in the emerging quantum era.


The full article (in Greek) can be accessed via this link.