Telefónica has launched a new communications service in Spain for enterprise data centers, designed to withstand future quantum computing attacks . The service, aimed at the corporate sector and organizations with critical infrastructure, seeks to prepare for a scenario in which current encryption algorithms may become obsolete.
With this initiative, the operator is providing Spanish companies with a solution designed to protect their most sensitive information in the medium and long term, offering an interconnection channel between data centers and corporate headquarters reinforced with post-quantum cryptography . The aim is to ensure that data remains confidential even when the computing power of quantum computers is powerful enough to break traditional encryption systems.
'CPD Interconnection': communications between data centers with post-quantum cryptography
The new service, called 'Data Center Interconnection' , is designed as a specific solution to secure data traffic between a company's various data centers and its main facilities. It is precisely in these interconnection networks where the largest volumes of sensitive and strategic information are typically concentrated.
Telefónica explains that the proposal is aimed at companies that handle medical records, personal data, patents, financial information, or confidential contracts , among other critical assets. All this information, which is already encrypted today, risks being exposed in the future if an attacker can break classical encryption algorithms using quantum computing.
To address this challenge, 'Interconnection CPDs' incorporates post-quantum cryptography mechanisms, also known as Quantum Safe . These algorithms are designed to withstand not only attacks on current systems, but also those that could be carried out with advanced quantum computers.
Among the available options are schemes such as ML-KEM, Classic McEliece, and Frodo KEM , all of which align with the proposals and standards being promoted by leading international organizations. This allows companies to adapt their communications to the criteria being defined globally for the post-quantum era.
Protection against the 'Store Now, Decrypt Later' model
One of the risks that these types of solutions aim to mitigate is the so-called 'Store Now, Decrypt Later' attack . In this scenario, a cybercriminal intercepts encrypted traffic today, stores it, and waits until they have sufficient quantum computing resources in the future to decrypt it.
This approach is particularly problematic for sectors where information retains its value for years or even decades , such as healthcare, intellectual property, and financial services. While current encryption may be considered robust at present, it could cease to be so once quantum technology matures.
Telefónica's strategy with 'CPD Interconnection' is to anticipate this scenario and introduce, from now on, encryption algorithms designed to withstand quantum attacks . In this way, even if an attacker captures the encrypted data today, the aim is to prevent them from decrypting it in the future, thus preserving long-term confidentiality.
According to the company, this approach helps to strengthen the operational integrity of large corporations and critical infrastructures , an area especially monitored by European regulations on cybersecurity and resilience and by decisions affecting banks and operators.
In line with international recommendations and European regulations
The service design follows the guidelines set by organizations such as the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) , which are defining standards and recommendations for the transition to post-quantum cryptography.
By relying on algorithms and methods recognized by these institutions, Telefónica aims to ensure that companies adopting 'CPD Interconnection' can meet the security and resilience requirements demanded by European regulations, especially those relating to critical infrastructure and essential services.
This regulatory alignment is key for organizations that must demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to protect their communications and data against next-generation threats . In this context, migrating to Quantum Safe technologies is presented as a necessary step within their cybersecurity plans.
The solution integrates into existing network infrastructures, allowing companies to make the leap to post-quantum protection gradually , without needing to completely replace their current systems, but reinforcing the most sensitive communication links.
Compatibility with quantum key distribution (QKD)
Another key feature of the service is its compatibility with quantum key distribution, or QKD . This technology uses principles of quantum mechanics to generate and share secret keys between two points, so that any attempt to intercept the key is detected.
Telefónica has over 15 years of experience in the field of quantum communications , with projects including the deployment of Madrid's QKD ring, known as TEFQCI. This is a pre-commercial experimental network installed at several of the operator's exchanges, where different quantum key exchange solutions have been tested.
Furthermore, the company has collaborated with entities such as Vithas hospitals to protect the exchange of sensitive medical data against potential future attacks based on quantum computing. In these projects, QKD technology was used to reinforce confidentiality.
The compatibility of 'CPD Interconnection' with QKD allows companies, as this technology becomes more widespread commercially, to combine classical post-quantum cryptography with quantum key distribution , thus adding an additional layer of security to their communications between Data Centers.
Objective: to protect critical company information
Telefónica emphasizes the crucial role of communications in ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of critical information circulating across its networks. After all, strengthening internal systems is of little use if the links between data centers remain a weak point.
Yolanda Bueno, Infrastructure Marketing Manager at Telefónica Spain, emphasizes that this new service represents a first step in a line of solutions designed to protect business communications against quantum computing . The idea is to continually expand the catalog to support organizations in their transition to a more demanding digital environment.
The launch of 'Interconnection CPDs' is part of the operator's strategy to strengthen its value proposition in the field of cybersecurity and data protection , an area where competition and regulatory pressure are increasingly greater in Europe.
With this offer, Telefónica aims to enable companies in sectors such as healthcare, banking, energy, transport, and public administration to secure their backbone communications between data centers with technologies prepared for the challenges of the digital future.
The new service positions the operator as one of the players that are beginning to bring practical solutions to the market for the post-quantum era, bringing Spanish and European companies closer to a data center interconnection model designed to withstand quantum attacks and protect the most sensitive information in the long term.
