The Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), in a recent report, discusses the crucial role hybridized cryptographic systems that leverage both quantum key distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) will play in future defense-in-depth strategies. The report suggests that combining QKD and PQC significantly strengthens the resistance to the quantum threat due to their complementary properties.

Canadian researchers from the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) recently released a modular open-source Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) software package on GitHub. It allows users to model realistic QKD protocols and calculate the generation rate for secure quantum keys using user-submitted variables for real-world scenarios. 

Recently, a new research project named "MANTIS," led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Germany, has been officially launched with a kick-off event. This project, costing 5.11 million euros, aims to utilize modern quantum technology to safeguard critical infrastructure against hacker attacks. The MANTIS project is specifically researching the advantages of so-called MDI-QKD(Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution) over conventional QKD methods.

The ParisRegion Quantum Communication Infrastructure (QCI) consortium, led by Orange has successfully implemented its first quantum communication network in existing fibre optic infrastructure. The ParisRegionQCI project, a consortium of industrialists, university researchers and start-ups set out to demonstrate the feasibility of quantum key distribution (QKD) based on existing terrestrial fibre networks.

SpeQtral, SafeQuantum, Antaris, and QTD Systems jointly announced yesterday that they will collaborate to establish a satellite Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) receiver node in New York City, aiming to enable quantum-safe communications between Singapore, the United States, and Europe. It is reported that SpeQtral will provide satellite QKD technology and quantum optical ground stations, SafeQuantum will be responsible for deploying the optical ground station in QTD Systems data centers and connecting them to the existing Quantum Secure fiber networks.

Toshiba reached a strategic cooperation agreement with the Canadian nonprofit organization Numana in Quebec yesterday to enhance the Kirq quantum communication testbed in the Province of Quebec. The Kirq testbed has been launched in Sherbrooke, and two additional hubs will be launched in Montreal this summer and in Quebec City by early 2025. It is understood that these testbeds will be built using Toshiba's state-of-the-art quantum key distribution (QKD) equipment.