Numana and Nokia Test Quantum-Safe Network Architecture on Kirq Platform

Insider Brief

• Numana and Nokia Canada, alongside Canadian partners, validated a quantum-safe network architecture known as Blueprint 7 on the Kirq testbed to support the protection of critical infrastructure.
• Interoperability testing demonstrated that post-quantum cryptography, secure key generation, and quantum key distribution can be integrated into existing multi-vendor network environments without full system replacement.
• The initiative aligns with Canada’s broader quantum-security efforts, including its National Quantum Strategy and federal roadmap to migrate government IT systems to post-quantum cryptography by 2035.

PRESS RELEASE — Quantum computers – already a reality and advancing toward broader commercial availability – will be able to compromise widely used network security almost instantly. At Canada’s only quantum-safe testbed, Kirq, Numana and Nokia have had a breakthrough, successfully testing a blueprint that can be used to strengthen Canada’s long-term digital security and critical infrastructure, including networks used by banks, hospitals and governments. This milestone showcases Canadian excellence in quantum innovation and reinforces the country’s ability to lead in securing next‑generation digital systems.

Through interoperability testing on the Kirq platform, the teams validated practical, repeatable network architectures showing that multiple next-generation encryption technologies can operate together within a unified system. This is a critical step toward deploying quantum-resilient infrastructure across the country. 

The testing on Kirq focused on solving the practical challenge of how to upgrade complex, multi-vendor networks without disrupting their operations. Rather than replacing entire systems, the teams validated repeatable blueprints showing how quantum-safe encryption, secure key generation and quantum key distribution can be integrated into existing network environments. This reduces the cost, operational risk and technical uncertainty associated with preparing national infrastructure for the post-quantum era while ensuring Canadian innovation is aligned with international standards.

The results further demonstrate the momentum of Canada’s quantum communications ecosystem and its ability to translate research into deployable capability. The collaborative testing brought together Numana, Nokia Canada and Canadian partners Crypto4A and evolutionQ. NowQuantum, a Canadian leading-edge startup, independently validated the network blueprint by deploying its Full-Stack, Quantum-Safe First Architecture (FS-QSFA). In a first for quantum-safe networking, NowQuantum demonstrated that not only data in transit, but the real-time execution of business-critical applications can be secured within a quantum-safe environment, a key requirement for operators of critical infrastructure preparing for post-quantum migration.

Conducted in late 2025, the Kirq testing integrated Canadian-developed cryptographic capabilities, including secure key generation and quantum key distribution orchestration, alongside quantum-safe optical networking technologies. The tests also support future integration with satellite-based quantum communications initiatives such as QEYSSat, enabling ultra-long-distance quantum-secure connectivity. 

This progress reflects a broader international effort to address the emerging quantum threat. As quantum computing advances globally, jurisdictions in Europe and elsewhere are moving to strengthen cryptographic sovereignty and prepare critical systems for long-term security. Kirq’s ability to demonstrate that trusted Canadian solutions work will help keep Canada on the leading edge of quantum development and strengthen collaboration with trusted partners from Canada and like-minded nations.

The collaboration between Numana, Nokia Canada and their partners will continue throughout 2026, expanding testing activities on the Kirq testbed and supporting organizations as they assess exposure, validate solutions and plan for the adoption of quantum-safe networking at scale. 

This effort builds on existing partnerships, including work to integrate space-to-terrestrial quantum encryption, and reinforces Canada’s role as a centre for practical quantum-safe testing focused on protecting long-term digital infrastructure. 

Quantum computing is already threatening the safety of our networks and data — our bank accounts, health profiles and online marketplaces could be hacked in the blink of an eye in the future. To protect the confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of your data (including your identity and financial information), every government, business and organization in the world will need to implement quantum-safe networks and quantum-safe tech to reduce their risks. We have to act now, and that’s where Kirq comes in – testing how well new security approaches can be integrated into long-lived digital systems, and how they’ll stand up to quantum-powered cyberattacks. We now know Blueprint 7 is a recipe that works. With Kirq, Numana is testing what is practical, interoperable and scalable, so organizations can make decisions now to keep our data safe in the future.

Bernard Duval, CEO, Numana

“Canada is rapidly emerging as a global leader in quantum‑safe communications, and the work completed on the Kirq testbed demonstrates how a trusted national ecosystem can turn innovation into deployable capability. Just as Europe is advancing strategic de‑risking by developing trusted digital connectivity, Canada is building its own secure foundations and like Europe, it recognizes that no single company or country can deliver a complete trusted technology stack alone. By bringing together Numana’s platforms, Nokia’s expertise in critical connectivity, and advanced technologies from partners such as Crypto4A and evolutionQ, we are strengthening the resilience of Canadian and transatlantic digital infrastructure. As quantum computing and the AI supercycle accelerate, the need for trusted, interoperable, and quantum‑resilient networks has never been greater. Nokia is contributing its optical, IP, and data‑center networking innovations, supported by our new Ottawa Innovation Campus, to help ensure Canada is prepared for the transition to quantum‑resilient connectivity and can partner globally with like‑minded nations in building the next generation of secure networks.”

Jeffrey Maddox, President of Nokia Canada

“We are excited to work with our technology partners, Numana, Nokia, Honeywell and Crypto4A, to develop and demonstrate solutions for our critical infrastructure that address new cybersecurity risks from quantum computing. Integrating multiple quantum-safe techniques, including post-quantum cryptography, offers a layered approach that companies can integrate within their existing infrastructures. Our Basejump platform delivers cryptographic agility that can adapt to local requirements, and incorporate other algorithms and techniques as they mature. evolutionQ is proud to be part of this Team Canada approach to solving a real-world problem.”

Dr. Michele Mosca, Founder and CEO of evolutionQ

“Preparing our national infrastructure for the quantum era is not a theoretical exercise, it is an operational priority. The validation of Blueprint 7 at Kirq demonstrates that sovereign, quantum-safe cryptography can be integrated into existing multi-vendor networks without disruption. At Crypto4A, we believe protecting critical systems requires certified hardware root of trust, secure key generation, and crypto-agility designed for long-term resilience. This milestone proves Canada has the capability to deploy practical, interoperable quantum-safe infrastructure, and to lead globally in doing so.”

Bruno Couillard, CEO and Co-Founder, Crypto4A

“We are rapidly entering an exciting new era where many extraordinary innovations will be made possible by the use of quantum technologies across diverse critical industry sectors such as defence, finance, telecom, energy, and healthcare. However, these same technologies can be used for highly disruptive negative endeavors such as hacking of private transactions or decrypting of secure data. Our objective at NowQuantum is to make digital trust something organizations can rely on without having to think about it.”

Ian Meletios, CEO and Co-Founder, NowQuantum

Background: quantum-safe communications 

The computers in use now are binary; they run on 1s and 0s. Quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in superposition, enabling certain complex calculations to be performed exponentially faster than every computer today. To protect people’s money, identity, and the systems people count on, every government, business and organization in the world will need to implement quantum-safe networks and quantum-safe technology, called post-quantum cryptography. 

Some of the world’s best quantum innovation is happening in Canada in quantum materials, and quantum sensing, communications and computing via quantum corridors (Sherbrooke, Waterloo, Calgary, Victoria) and quantum companies. 

Canada’s National Quantum Strategy launched in 2023 with $360 million. It includes post-quantum cryptography. 

Canada has a federal roadmap to mitigate all non-classified Government of Canada IT systems to post-quantum cryptography by 2035. Government departments are required to file plans for quantum-safe cryptography by April 2026.  

In 2025, Canada launched the Canadian Quantum Champions Program, which includes another $334-million for selected quantum companies (up to $23 million each).