euNetworks has rolled out a private connectivity service, dubbed Quantum Shield, to protect enterprise data from quantum decryption threats. Built on Adtran’s FSP 3000 optical transport platform, the service introduces Layer 1 encryption to secure data moving between European data centers.

The launch targets the “harvest now, decrypt later” strategy. Sophisticated attackers and state-sponsored groups are already intercepting and storing massive volumes of encrypted enterprise traffic. Within the next decade, fault-tolerant quantum computers are expected to emerge capable of breaking current asymmetric encryption standards like RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography.

By deploying Quantum Shield across a fiber footprint that links 17 European data center hubs and more than 536 facilities, euNetworks is going after sectors where long-term confidentiality is mandatory, specifically finance, healthcare, and government.

The technical approach

By handling encryption at the optical layer (Layer 1), Quantum Shield secures all data flowing across the fiber path without needing application-specific configurations. This protocol-agnostic setup avoids the latency penalties typically caused by encrypting data higher up the software stack.

The security architecture relies on a couple of core mechanisms:

• Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC): The service uses NIST-selected, quantum-resistant algorithms implemented via Adtran’s ConnectGuard encryption software.
• Hybrid key exchange: To hedge against undiscovered flaws in the new PQC standards, the system pairs them with traditional, time-tested cryptographic methods. If a vulnerability is found in the newer algorithms, the legacy layer still holds.

Marisa Trisolino, CEO of euNetworks, said: “Data centre connectivity sits at the heart of our customers’ operations, particularly in environments where security and resilience are non-negotiable.

“We’re committed to providing customers with connectivity that meets increasingly stringent security requirements and chose to partner with Adtran because they bring deep expertise in optical networking and a practical understanding of how private infrastructure is built and operated at scale.

“Together, we’re providing connectivity that combines strong security, predictable performance and clear visibility into the underlying network, while customers retain control over how their data is encrypted. As customer expectations continue to evolve, having trusted partners and proven solutions is essential to supporting long-term digital growth across Europe.”

Enterprise adoption and use cases

While hardware giants like Cisco, Nokia, and Ciena have been developing PQC-ready systems, euNetworks’ move represents an actual commercial deployment by a carrier.

Deployment will likely be tactical rather than a blanket network replacement, focused on specific high-value traffic corridors:

• Data centre replication: Protecting high-volume backups and disaster recovery pipelines.
• Cloud infrastructure: Securing workloads moving between private infrastructure and public cloud environments.
• R&D and trading hubs: Linking facilities that handle sensitive intellectual property or high-speed financial transactions.

Christoph Glingener, CTO of Adtran, commented: “Operators like euNetworks are setting a clear benchmark for how secure data centre connectivity should be delivered. This deployment shows how purpose-built optical platforms – developed through decades of expertise in secure DCI – can support private network models that prioritise security, transparency and operational control.

“By combining quantum-resilient encryption with real-time fibre monitoring, we’re helping euNetworks safeguard critical traffic without compromising performance or scalability.

“This kind of deployment reflects a broader shift in how critical connectivity is being built, giving enterprises confidence that their networks are ready not just for today’s demands, but for the security challenges ahead.”

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