This landmark test successfully protected real-time data spanning Colt's 6,900 km submarine and terrestrial network between New York and London, thanks to Ciena's WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) encryption solution. The test demonstrated that data can be securely transmitted at a service rate of 800 Gb Ethernet (GbE)—fast enough to move data center-scale volumes across the Atlantic in seconds—while remaining protected against the growing threat of quantum computing.
Companies are taking steps to protect their data against "collect now, decrypt later" attacks, in which attackers intercept and store data in transit, waiting for future quantum computing capabilities to break traditional data encryption methods and gain access. This could be possible as early as 2030. Studies show that 69% of organizations believe quantum computing poses a real risk to current encryption, and 46% believe much of their data could be compromised. The successful trial conducted by Colt and Ciena demonstrates that quantum-proof, high-speed connectivity is ready to reliably protect customer data across continents, along one of the world's busiest data corridors.
This test is the latest in a series of quantum-proof encryption trials led by Colt across transatlantic submarine networks and is notable for:
Speed: 800GbE is still in the very early stages of adoption, with most long-haul and submarine systems currently deployed operating at 100GbE or 400GbE. The test successfully demonstrated an encrypted 800GbE service across the Atlantic on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Security: Ciena's 1.6T WL6e quantum-proof encryption solution, integrated into the Waveserver platform, offers PQC algorithms that enable secure, high-capacity connectivity capable of operating at extreme bandwidths over any distance.
Performance: The test demonstrated exceptional optical performance, stability in the submarine infrastructure, and the ability to meet AI traffic demands.
Buddy Bayer, Chief Operating Officer of Colt Technology Services, stated, “Quantum computing is redefining the security challenge for global connectivity. This test represents a significant step forward in protecting global data as it moves across continents. It demonstrates that quantum-proof protection can be delivered at real scale. Colt’s infrastructure combines global reach, sustained investment, and robust security, giving enterprises, hyperscalers, and neoscalers the confidence they need to grow. At the same time, Ciena’s quantum-proof solutions show how next-generation security can be integrated into high-speed networks, ensuring that protection keeps pace with performance. Together, we are helping customers protect their critical data today while preparing for the quantum age by building future-proof networks that simply work—networks that are secure, scalable, and ready to power the AI economy.”
Dino DiPerna, senior vice president of Global Research and Development at Ciena, stated, “As network demand increases, operators are raising the bar for security to stay ahead of the threat posed by quantum computers. This joint Colt and Ciena test demonstrates how proven, high-performance optical encryption and post-quantum cryptography can play a significant role in protecting high-speed services in real-world long-haul and submarine networks, helping to safeguard critical data in transit at any distance.”
Following this and other successful trials in optical networks, Colt can offer quantum-proof services to meet a wide range of customer needs. These include solutions based on post-quantum cryptography (PQC), quantum key distribution (QKD), symmetric key infrastructure (SKI), and hybrid models, for both terrestrial and submarine networks. The solutions are ideal for organizations such as:
Enterprises seeking resilient and secure global connectivity and wishing to reduce the risk of regulatory non-compliance;
global content providers, hyperscalers, and neoscalers exploring integration with quantum security; and
financial institutions and healthcare providers requiring robust protection for sensitive data in transit.
