- Ciena, Toshiba and Quantum Corridor completed a 1.6 Tb/s quantum-safe optical encryption trial on a live commercial network
- The test combined NIST-certified post-quantum cryptography (PQC) with quantum key distribution (QKD) to protect data in transit
- Existing Ciena customers could adopt PQC protections through software upgrades rather than replacing deployed infrastructure
We are in the danger zone on the Q-Day countdown clock — and the Q-Day clock is speeding up. So, it’s no surprise that quantum-safe networking trials are underway at a myriad of vendors trying to get ahead, including Ciena, a stalwart in the high-speed optical networking arena, with its WaveLogic gear.
Specifically, the trial focused on how organizations can protect data and included Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) 1.6 Tb/s quantum-safe encryption capabilities, which support a hybrid security approach using NIST-certified PQC algorithms and seamless interworking with Toshiba’s QKD technology, according to a company announcement today.
Ciena has been working with Quantum Corridor for several years, according to Paulina Gomez, director of product marketing for Ciena.
Quantum Corridor runs a quantum-ready network that connects Chicago ORD10 at 350 East Cermak to the Digital Crossroad data campus in Hammond, Indiana, with quantum-safe fiber infrastructure spanning the Illinois–Indiana state line between two Tier III data centers. The organization plans to expand into additional regional research areas this year, according to the Quantum Corridor website.
“Our relationship with Quantum Corridor has been evolving over a few years. It's not new,” Gomez told Fierce Network, referring to a previous collaboration on quantum networking work involving JPMorgan Chase and Toshiba.
The latest trial was conducted on the Quantum Corridor live production network between Chicago and Hammond. It validated 1.6 Tb/s encrypted connectivity using Ciena’s Waveserver platform powered by WL6e while also supporting existing WaveLogic 5 Extreme encrypted traffic on the same network. The companies also tested interoperability with Toshiba’s QKD servers, which generate quantum-based encryption keys, noted the press release about the trial.
Going beyond mere capacity
For network operators, the significance goes beyond mere capacity.
According to the companies, the trial demonstrated that operators can combine PQC and QKD protections while continuing to run existing services. The approach is designed to address concerns about "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks where encrypted data collected today could potentially be deciphered by future quantum computers, said Gomez.
She added that one of the most important aspects of the test was that the upgrade occurred without disrupting live traffic.
“It's demonstrating the highest possible speed of encryption that's available today in the market,” Gomez said. “Existing customers that already have our 800-gig encryption solution carrying live traffic in their network can get access to these new algorithms.”
The timing is key as governments around the world accelerate quantum-readiness efforts. Quantum Corridor said organizations are increasingly looking to deploy NIST-compliant PQC technologies while evaluating how QKD can add a physical layer of protection, she added.
While nobody can pinpoint exactly when Q-Day will arrive, Gomez said expectations continue to move closer.
“We know it's coming, we don't know when,” Gomez said. “Every time the industry looks at it or you take a pulse on it, it seems like the window is shortening.”
Read more from Fierce Network about quantum networking
Colt and Ciena trial quantum-safe long-distance data transmission
Q-Day just got closer — you need to be ready by 2029, Cloudflare says
AT&T joins growing list of telcos making quantum moves in 2026