Public sector stakeholders got to tour a project that aims to build a quantum-secured communications network in Malta.

They visited four sites at the Melita Data Centre, the University of Malta, MITA and the Malta Digital Innovation Authority in a tour that showcased the infrastructure, systems and collaboration behind Malta’s quantum-secure communications testbed.

The PRISM network was developed in the spirit of the EU’s EuroQCI’s declaration, which targets a Europe-wide quantum-secured network by 2030.

Such a network is intended to add an additional security layer, based on quantum physics, to crucial infrastructure such as government institutions, data centres, hospitals, and energy grids.

The consortium of local entities working on this project include RSM Malta as coordinator, Merqury Cybersecurity as technical lead, and Melita, the University of Malta, UMNAI, MITA and the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment through the Critical Infrastructure Protection Department as partners.

Melita CEO Harald Roesch

Opening the tour, Melita CEO Harald Roesch said that PRISM demonstrates how local capability, backed by strong collaboration, can contribute to technology with real national and European relevance.

“Malta is uniquely placed to act as a practical testbed for next-generation secure communications, and today’s tour offered a clear view of that progress in action,” he said.

Gordon Micallef, Principal at RSM Malta, warned that secure communication can no longer be viewed as a future concern but a present-day necessity for Malta and for Europe.

“Today’s tour showed what can be achieved when public and private stakeholders work together around a shared vision for resilience, security and innovation,” he said.

Prof. André Xuereb, Founder and CEO of Merqury Cybersecurity, said that PRISM is a “strong example of Maltese innovation in practice”.

“It has helped bridge the gap between laboratory research and deployable technology, creating a blueprint for quantum communications that can be used in real-world settings and built upon in the years ahead,” he said.