Quantum Key Distribution Key Management System (QKD-KMS)
The next generation of secure key distribution in a post-quantum era.
Key Management for Quantum secure networks
At AIT we developed a Key Management System (KMS) for Quantum Key Distribution Networks (QKD), establishing a secure end-to-end key in a QKD backed communication network. Year long experience in QKD, cryptography and industry application come together to solve the challenges of tomorrow, today.
Cryptography
Experts in the field of cryptography, post-quantum cryptography and implementation of cryptographic applications contribute to the KMS.
QKD
Year long experience in the field of QKD give the team an edge at understanding the underlying quantum infrastructure.
Standard Interfaces
The KMS complies to the most relevant specifications in QKD, supporting the ETSI GS QKD 014 and ETSI GS QKD 004 interface.
SDN ready
Larger QKD backed infrastructure benefits from SDN, the KMS offers an interface to an SDN Agent for network agility according to the ETSI GS QKD 015 specification.
Applied in Projects
The KMS is developed and used in several QKD related projects, such as the Austrian EuroQCI project QCI-CAT.
Development
The KMS is designed considering applicable recommendations, such as the ITU-T Y3800 family and NIST SP 800-57. Best practices of secure software development are applied.
Latest News
- API specification for KMS to SDN Agent published
QUICKS – “QKDN Universal Interface for Communication between KMS and SDN” – is an OpenAPI specification publised by the AURORA KMS and SDN team. It defines all relevant endpoints and sequences for and SDN controlled KMS. - Several publications at QCNC 2026
Three papers with contribution of the AURORA KMS and SDN team were peer reviewed, accepted and presented at the QCNC 2026 conference. - QCI-CAT closing event
At the QCI-CAT closing event, the AURORA KMS by AIT was showcased with all the technology developed and integrated during one of the major European projects pushing the limits of what QKD networks can do. Beyond that, it was a great opportunity to interact with relevant stakeholders. - Open specification for QKD push mode API published
The AURORA KMS by AIT is well known for the innovative ETSI GS QKD 004 derived push mode API, where a QKD device can transfer generated keys immediately to the KMS, therefore key handling and management is offloaded to the KMS. This has first been published as a concept in the related paper, now the… Read more: Open specification for QKD push mode API published - AIT KMS and QKD expertes at ADIC 2026
AIT participated at the Austrian Defence Innovation Conference (ADIC) 2026 by the Austrian Ministry of Defence (BMLV) with KMS and QKD experts and contributed to the Challenges and Hackathon track. They succeeded in the ambitious plan to run a QKD network, analyze it for common vulnerabilities and pitch an innovative project to bring QKD Networks to operative defense. With this, they delivered on hands on and theoretical quantum innovation.