C‑DOT Teams Up with Synergy Quantum to Safeguard Defence, Telecom, and Banking from Quantum Threats

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), India’s premier telecom R&D body under the Department of Telecommunications, has signed an agreement with Synergy Quantum India Private Limited to jointly develop a quantum vulnerability detection tool.

Key Highlights of the Partnership

• Scope: It targets sectors like defence, telecom, and banking, where future quantum computing capabilities could break existing encryption methods.
• Functionality: The automated system will scan cryptographic mechanisms, flag vulnerabilities, and distinguish between quantum-safe and quantum-vulnerable algorithms.
• Strategic Importance: This initiative is part of India’s broader push to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness against emerging quantum threats, ensuring resilience in national digital infrastructure.
• Outcome: The tool is expected to become a foundational capability for organizations preparing for next-generation cryptographic security.

Why It Matters

Quantum computers, once mature, could render today’s widely used encryption (like RSA and ECC) obsolete. By proactively identifying vulnerable algorithms, India is positioning itself to transition toward quantum-safe cryptography before such threats materialize.

Here’s a deeper look at the quantum vulnerability detection tool being developed by C-DOT and Synergy Quantum, along with a global analogy to similar initiatives:

About the Tool

• Automated Detection: Scans devices, networks, and infrastructure to identify cryptographic algorithms in use.
• Classification: Distinguishes between quantum‑safe and quantum‑vulnerable algorithms (e.g., RSA, ECC).
• Reporting: Flags vulnerabilities and provides actionable insights for migration to post‑quantum cryptography (PQC).
• Target Sectors: Defence, telecom, and banking — areas most at risk if quantum computers break classical encryption.
• Strategic Role: Serves as a foundational capability for India’s cybersecurity ecosystem, enabling proactive transition before quantum threats materialize.

Global Analogies

India’s move mirrors efforts in other regions where governments and companies are preparing for the post‑quantum era:

Region / Organization	Initiative	Focus
United States (NIST)	Post‑Quantum Cryptography Standardization Project	Developing global standards for quantum‑resistant algorithms.
European Union (PQCrypto, ETSI)	Quantum‑Safe Cryptography Working Groups	Researching migration strategies for telecom and finance sectors.
China	National Quantum Communication Network	Building secure quantum key distribution (QKD) infrastructure.
UK (Quantinuum, Cambridge Quantum)	Quantum cybersecurity solutions	Commercial tools for quantum‑safe encryption and migration.
Japan (NTT, Toshiba)	Quantum key distribution trials	Integrating QKD into telecom networks.

Strategic Implication

India’s tool is unique in its automated vulnerability detection approach, complementing global PQC standardization efforts. While the US and EU focus on algorithm development and standards, India is emphasizing practical detection and migration

About Synergy Quantum

Synergy Quantum is relatively a new company, which was established in December 2022, registered in New Delhi, India. The company's private limited company, classified under research and experimental development. Synergy Quantum specializes in quantum communication and cybersecurity solutions, with emphasis on post-quantum cryptography.

Notably, the founder of Synergy Quantum India Private Limited is Jay Oberai, who also serves as the company’s CEO. He has been prominently featured in discussions on India’s quantum sovereignty and cybersecurity, including recognition by the Forbes Technology Council for his role in advancing quantum‑safe solutions.

Oberoi, a Harvard University graduate, has been seed investor in Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC), which later merged into Quantinuum (valued at over $10 billion). This positioned him at the forefront of quantum technology investment globally.

Jai Oberoi actively advises governments and institutions in the UK, Switzerland, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia on quantum strategy and digital infrastructure planning.

India Moves Toward Ultra-Secure Telecom: C-DOT & Synergy To Develop Drone-based Secure Communication

Big move for India's quantum-secure communication! The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier telecom R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has recently announced partnership with Synergy Quantum India to develop drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems.

Drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a cutting-edge method for securely transmitting encryption keys using quantum mechanics, but with the added mobility of drones.

This collaboration aims to enhance secure telecom infrastructure using the BB84 protocol with polarization encoding, targeting Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 refers to a stage in technology development where a system or prototype has been validated in a relevant environment. This means it has moved beyond basic lab testing and is being tested in conditions that closely resemble real-world applications.

How It Works:

The drone based quantum communication system consists of a drone (left) that generates entangled photon pairs and distributes them to ground stations. From each pair, one photon (purple beam) goes directly to the ground, while the other (pink beam) is relayed through the second drone (right).
[Image - TheQuantumInsider.com] 

1. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) ensures secure communication by using quantum properties to generate encryption keys that cannot be intercepted without detection.
2. Drones act as mobile quantum communication nodes, enabling secure key exchange over long distances, even in areas lacking traditional telecom infrastructure.

The system typically employs the BB84 protocol with polarization encoding, making it resistant to eavesdropping.

Why It Matters:

• Defense & Security: Enables encrypted communication for military and government operations.
• Emergency Response: Provides secure data transmission in disaster zones.
• Mobile Networks: Expands quantum-secure communication beyond fixed fiber-optic setups.

As part of the collaboration, C-DOT and Synergy Quantum will jointly pursue the development of quantum communications technologies optimized for drone-based deployment. The partnership will also include co-creation of research proposals for national and international grant applications and dissemination of outcomes through scholarly publications, white papers, and other platforms.

Key representatives from both organizations may also engage in delivering expert talks, short courses, and organizing symposia, conferences, and meetings on timely research themes.

The initiative aligns with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, fostering indigenous innovation in quantum communication. The QKD systems will be optimized for drone-based deployment, making them valuable for defense, emergency services, and government networks.

C-DOT CEO Rajkumar Upadhyay emphasized the importance of merging public R&D with private innovation, while Synergy Quantum CEO Jay Oberoi highlighted India's potential to lead in drone-based quantum-secure communications.

This partnership could be a game-changer for secure mobile data transmission as it is expected to lay the foundation for next-generation quantum-safe telecom infrastructure, revolutionizing secure data transmission for applications in defence, emergency response, critical infrastructure, and secure government communication.