Squareroot8 & VIAVI forge Asia-Pacific quantum pact

Squareroot8 has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with VIAVI Solutions that focuses on quantum-safe security for critical networks across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Singapore-based quantum security company and the US network testing specialist plan to jointly develop and deploy security products that address the emerging risks from quantum computing. The agreement targets government, telecommunications and enterprise customers.

The collaboration centres on integrating Squareroot8's post-quantum security tools with VIAVI's network test, monitoring and fibre sensing products. The partners aim to embed quantum-resilient security at the network layer rather than treating it as an add-on.

Squareroot8 develops quantum communication products and services for information security. Its portfolio includes Quantum Key Distribution, which uses quantum physics to secure the exchange of encryption keys.

VIAVI focuses on network test, monitoring and assurance for telecoms and other critical sectors. The company also supplies light management technologies for 3D sensing and anti-counterfeiting applications.

Network-layer focus

Under the agreement, the companies will work on integrating a quantum-safe platform with VIAVI's fibre sensing and optical test solutions. They plan to use these systems to validate Squareroot8's quantum security products in operational environments.

The partners also intend to promote quantum-safe architectures for national infrastructure, defence networks, telecom operators and financial institutions. That work will include testbeds and pilot deployments that examine performance in live networks and assess how easily operators can scale the technologies.

Another strand of the agreement will focus on ecosystem partnerships across the region. Squareroot8 and VIAVI plan to engage other vendors and stakeholders in efforts to establish interoperable quantum-safe infrastructures in Asia-Pacific.

Executives at both companies framed the partnership as a way to link specialist quantum research with established network engineering and validation expertise.

"Partnering with VIAVI allows us to combine Squareroot8's expertise in post-quantum security with VIAVI's global leadership in network testing and optical technologies. Together, we aim to accelerate innovation, raise industry readiness, and support enterprises and governments in building resilient, quantum future-proof digital infrastructure," said Cristofer Quek, CEO, Squareroot8.

VIAVI brings experience in both fibre optics and laboratory validation. The company cites more than three decades of work in systems, physics and lab testing as the basis for its approach to moving photon-based communication from research settings into operations.

Dr Sameh Yamany, Chief Technology Officer at VIAVI Solutions, linked the initiative to regional efforts around next-generation networks and quantum planning. "Asia is accelerating toward a quantum-ready future, and VIAVI is committed to supporting the journey with trusted, field-proven innovation. By combining our leadership in optical testing and secure network validation with Squareroot8's quantum-safe expertise, we aim to help governments and operators deploy resilient, quantum-safe infrastructure at scale. This partnership reinforces VIAVI's long-term commitment to advancing secure, next-generation communications across the Asia-Pacific region," said Yamany.

Quantum risk backdrop

The announcement comes as governments and enterprises across Asia-Pacific increase investment in AI, cloud platforms, 5G roll-outs and cross-border digital services. These projects often rely on long-lived data that faces a potential "harvest-now, decrypt-later" risk from future quantum computers.

Harvest-now, decrypt-later attacks involve adversaries collecting encrypted traffic today and storing it until quantum systems are strong enough to break current encryption methods. Security researchers and policymakers have warned that this risk affects sectors that handle sensitive personal data, state secrets and financial information.

Several governments in the region have started national quantum-readiness programmes and post-quantum cryptography efforts. These include initiatives around new cryptographic standards, secure data exchange between agencies and cross-border collaboration on quantum communications.

Squareroot8 positions its work within this policy context as part of a broader shift away from cryptography that depends on mathematical problems that quantum computers may solve more efficiently. VIAVI's involvement reflects demand from network operators who need ways to assess and verify new security methods without disrupting existing services.

The partners plan to use regional pilots as a testing ground for quantum-safe network designs. They expect these projects to inform future commercial offerings and standards work in quantum-secure communications.

Squareroot8 and VIAVI indicated that they will prioritise deployments that support critical infrastructure sectors and national strategies around quantum readiness in Asia-Pacific.