Quantum-safe networks for power utilities, mining and oil and gas operations

Protect critical energy networks from quantum threats

Secure your critical data and operations communications networks against present and future threats with Nokia quantum-safe networks for critical energy operations.

Why is the energy industry vulnerable?

Critical infrastructure has been a longstanding target for cyber criminals, and the threat surface grows as we embrace digital technologies for operational improvements, safety, efficiency and more.

Modern energy companies—including power utilities, mining companies, and oil and gas operators—rely on the security and integrity of data transmitted across their networks. With continued digitalization, this data becomes an even bigger part of their industrial operations, it’s also a prime target for hackers, cyber criminals and others looking to disrupt critical services. Attacks and breaches are on the rise. The IEA reported in 2023 that attacks on European utility infrastructure doubled from 2020 to 2022, and in a report from CheckPoint Research, cyber attacks on U.S. power utilities rose 70% in 2024.

IEC 62351-9 recognizes that the quantum threat will put public-key cryptography at risk. These algorithms play a key role in current security solutions.

What does this mean to you? When cryptographically relevant quantum computers appear (CRQCs), with the ability to break current encryption protocols in minutes, quantum attacks can occur on your industrial infrastructure, including:

Many existing cryptography frameworks will be broken and your confidential industrial data is compromised.
This data could be used to gain an in-depth understanding of your operations and plan targeted man-in-the-middle (MITM) or denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, threatening system integrity and operational safety.

Bad state actors may already be preparing for this by eavesdropping on your communications, stealing your encrypted data as part of a harvest now, decrypt later (HNDL) strategy. They will hold on to this data so they can decrypt it later when a CRQC is available.

There is much to be concerned about in this scenario. But there is also good news: As you look to modernize your grid communications, we can help you make choices using existing technology to ensure quantum-safe energy communications, starting today.

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Network blueprint for power utility Quantum-Safe Networks

Multi-layer, defense in depth crypto resiliency

Block quantum threats with strong, multilayer cryptography

Robust encryption is a must for ensuring quantum-safe energy communications. Our outcome-based solution gives you the strongest possible quantum defense by harnessing the security strength provided by symmetric key infrastructure (SKI) applied to multiple network layers. This includes MACsec at the data link layer and OTNsec at the optical layer.

These technologies use AES-256 SKI, which can’t be cracked or overwhelmed by quantum algorithms and computers. They will protect your operations today and complement future standardized post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms to provide an extra layers of protection. These multiple layers and ability to adapt to emerging cryptographic approaches provide multiple barriers to attack, often called crypto resiliency.

Quantum-safe network approaches

There are at least three ways to approach quantum-safe cryptography:

Symmetric key infrastructure (SKI) sends keys separately from encrypted data, making it harder for threat actors to predict keys and access the data.
Quantum keys, transmitted through a quantum key distribution (QKD) network, use the physical properties of photons rather than math problems to safeguard the key, making it possible to detect any third party that tries to intercept the key.
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms, utilizing very difficult mathematics yet an asymmetric distribution approach,.

A quantum-safe ecosystem will include all three of these approaches, and other technologies as the quantum landscape evolves.
With our quantum-safe energy communications, you can select the key management approach that best aligns with your operational needs, existing infrastructure and security requirements. This flexibility enables you to implement quantum-safe networking while balancing effectiveness, practicality and resource allocation.

Why choose Nokia quantum-safe networks for energy and utilities?

Make energy communications quantum-safe today

Protect your sensitive communications now with a multilayer, defense-in-depth approach built around symmetric key distribution and random, high-entropy key generation. Add optical intrusion detection, firewalls, access control lists and network segmentation as needed to complete your quantum-safe energy communications framework.

Adapt your quantum cybersecurity defense to your business and use cases

Use the flexibility of our solution to deploy quantum-safe encryption exactly where you need it. By layering encryption technologies such as MACsec and OTNsec, you can secure the data applications that matter to your business against any quantum threat.

Scale your defense as the quantum threat grows

Take the journey to quantum-safe energy communications at your own pace. Our solution lets you start small, adding the right encryption technologies to the most vulnerable spots in your network. As the quantum threat grows and becomes clearer, you can add more layers to expand and strengthen your defense.

Evolve your approach in step with the quantum landscape

Use our solution to support quantum-safe energy communications and data today. Then seamlessly integrate standardized PQC algorithms when ready. This will ensure that you’re ready today for the quantum threat.