Cisco Routers Now Run Quantum Encryption via Live eQKD Network

Cisco is actively testing Aliro Orchestrator as the management layer for a live quantum key distribution network at its Photonics Center in Vimercate, Italy. The network integrates the BBM92 entanglement-based eQKD protocol directly with Cisco routers via the Cisco SKIP interface, delivering field-ready quantum secure encryption. Aliro Orchestrator monitors critical metrics like eavesdropper detection and quantum bit error rate, triggering automated remediation such as traffic rerouting, which provides operators with tangible control over quantum network operations.

Aliro Orchestrator Manages Cisco’s Entanglement-Based eQKD Network The network utilizes rack-mountable hardware from zerothird and is managed by Aliro Orchestrator, a platform designed to oversee and maintain live quantum networks. This is not a future plan; the facility serves as a live environment for Cisco to assess and refine quantum secure communications in a real-world setting. Aliro Orchestrator goes beyond simple key delivery, continuously monitoring critical performance indicators like eavesdropper detection, quantum bit error rate (QBER), and polarization drift. When these metrics deviate from established parameters, the system can automatically initiate remediation steps, including traffic rerouting or complete link shutdown, creating an auditable record of all operations with precise timestamps.

Director Optical Architecture at Cisco emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach, stating, “Achieving true quantum-safe security requires a comprehensive, full-stack approach that integrates both hardware and software.” Felix Tiefenbacher, CEO of zerothird, added, “Quantum networking will only scale if systems from different vendors work together.” This demonstration, featuring interoperability between zerothird’s key generation system, Aliro’s orchestration, and Cisco’s routing infrastructure, signifies a crucial milestone in the commercialization of quantum networks. Quantum networking will only scale if systems from different vendors work together. zerothird provides the end-to-end, entanglement-based quantum-secure key generation system, and here it operates alongside Aliro’s orchestration and Cisco’s routing infrastructure. That’s the interoperability the market needs to see,” said Felix Tiefenbacher, CEO, zerothird Quantum networking has spent years in research environments. Felix Tiefenbacher, CEO, zerothird Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260714670769/en/Aliro-Technologies-and-zerothird-Demonstrate-Operational-Quantum-Networking-with-Cisco Stay currentSee today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals. Tags: Rusty Flint Rusty is a quantum science nerd. He's been into academic science all his life, but spent his formative years doing less academic things. Now he turns his attention to write about his passion, the quantum realm. He loves all things Quantum Physics especially. Rusty likes the more esoteric side of Quantum Computing and the Quantum world. Everything from Quantum Entanglement to Quantum Physics. Rusty thinks that we are in the 1950s quantum equivalent of the classical computing world. While other quantum journalists focus on IBM's latest chip or which startup just raised $50 million, Rusty's over here writing 3,000-word deep dives on whether quantum entanglement might explain why you sometimes think about someone right before they text you. (Spoiler: it doesn't, but the exploration is fascinating) Latest Posts by Rusty Flint: IBM Predicts Quantum Computing Will Impact Earnings by 2029 July 31, 2026 NEDO Funds Quemix’s Push for Quantum Battery Development July 30, 2026 Yancy Oshita Joins Qtonic Quantum After 30 Years in Enterprise July 30, 2026