Cisco, KETS Demonstrate QKD Integration With IOS XR Routers
Cisco and KETS Quantum Security have successfully integrated KETS’ chip-based quantum key distribution (QKD) hardware with Cisco’s IOS XR routing platform in a joint demonstration. Announced on September 23, 2026, this collaboration pairs KETS’ QKD system with Cisco routers running MACsec.
This setup enables automated key exchange and encryption over existing Ethernet networks. This initiative provides a tangible example of how physics-based key exchange can be applied to carrier-grade equipment already in use across telecommunications and enterprise environments.
Integration Details and Current Status
KETS provided a QKD v2.0 unit, which uses photonic chip technology to generate and distribute encryption keys. Quantum physics secures these keys. The keys were then fed into Cisco routers running IOS XR, Cisco’s operating system for large service-provider networks, and utilized by MACsec (Media Access Control Security), a standard for encrypting data over high-speed Ethernet links.
According to both companies, the demonstration successfully showcased automatic key exchange and encryption without affecting network performance (KETS). KETS highlights that their setup is compatible with existing MACsec-based networks and benefits from a reduced hardware footprint due to the chip-based QKD.
KETS states that the unit provided to Cisco features the same security-hardened architecture recently trialed by BT, a claim also mentioned in KETS’ own publication.
QKD on Routers vs. PQC Standards
QKD is a hardware-based method for key exchange, distinct from post-quantum cryptography (PQC), which relies on new mathematical algorithms. NIST’s PQC standards, designed to run on ordinary hardware, include FIPS 203 (ML-KEM) for key encapsulation, and FIPS 204 (ML-DSA) and FIPS 205 (SLH-DSA) for digital signatures. The Cisco and KETS collaboration falls under QKD, providing keys from a quantum source rather than replacing cryptographic algorithms.
The market for quantum-safe network encryption is competitive, with vendors like Arqit offering alternative approaches and ongoing advancements in post-quantum semiconductor technology. According to KETS, Cisco began supporting hardware QKD in IOS XR with version 7.9.1 in 2023.
Both companies have indicated plans to continue developing this integration and explore further use cases for KETS hardware within Cisco’s ecosystem.
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