Zero Trust is the new standard when it comes to network security.
A Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), like the name suggests, is based on a "never trust, always verify" philosophy that assumes that every user, device, application, and data, is untrusted.
But that is a tough challenge in the quantum era, where trust can be created - or destroyed.
One example is the quantum impact on data encryption. One of the famous applications for quantum computers is its potential to crack public key infrastructure (PKI).
PKI was developed in the 1970's to be impervious to existing computers, but cracking it is a trivial task for future quantum computers.
Fortunately, there are other quantum technologies such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) that could replace PKI.
Other examples are quantum technologies that address "a significant single point of failure" for networks - GPS. The GPS signal can be easily spoofed or jammed, manipulating location-based security measures, degrading network performance, and tricking timestamps that are necessary for data integrity (see below).
So a well-designed ZTA needs to "eliminate implicit trust in any one element" and implement multiple timing sources - both externally (signals of opportunities) and internally (quantum/atomic clocks for holdover).
And importantly, there is also a quantum solution:
Using entangled photons to create a source of Trusted Time. That's what we do here at Xairos.
Last Newsletter Theme: ...Looking Forward 2025
Achievements
Xairos is proud to announce the award of a Direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by SpaceWERX to develop a "Fusion PNT of Quantum and Optical Synchronization of Clock Ensembles." a Direct-to-Phase II contract, in the amount of $1.9M, focused on demonstrating a fusion PNT of quantum and optical synchronization of clock ensembles to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Working with partners Luminous Cyber Corporation and Eritek Inc., the team recently completed Preliminary Design Review (PDR).
And the new year is off and running with selection of a new contract! Details to be announced soon.
In the meantime, the team is hard at work at four other projects, including:
Completed a Quarterly Management Review and quantum time transfer demonstration for our customer Project Apollo.
Completed the Preliminary Design Review and site survey at one of the optical ground stations for Project Aristocles. Next step is a Detailed Design Review (DDR) in March.
Delivered the first set of transportable optical ground stations to our customer for their final integration for Project Hermes. Details on this program to be announced soon!
R&D projects:
A project with University of Colorado students as part of their Quantum Forge program to develop a Bell State test and time tagger design.
A portable free-space quantum time transfer demonstration kit so that we can take our entangled photons on the road for customer and conference demonstrations.
Meetings at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and presentation on a GeoBuiz Summit panel in Denver.
Planning ahead for two panels and presentations:
On the Space 2.0/Counterspace panel at the Miami Space Summit to discuss "“Contested Space – What Would a Space Conflict Look Like?”
Presenting at the Ground Station Architecture Workshop (GSAW) 2025in three weeks about “Optical Ground Stations & Quantum Advancements in Timing and Encryption in Contested and Congested Environments."
Honored to support the growing quantum ecosystem in Colorado including:
Joined Elevate Quantum, the State of Colorado, and three Colorado universities at the ribbon-cutting of a 13,000-square-foot Quantum Incubator in Boulder, Colorado.
Joined the Colorado Lieutenant Governor and UK Consul General at the signing of a MOU to deepen economic relations between Colorado and the UK.
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