High-speed meets high-security. Ciena’s Paulina Gomez breaks down how WaveLogic 6 Extreme delivers the industry’s only 1.6Tb/s quantum-safe optical encryption solution—with support for PQC and QKD - so that operators can stay ahead of data security threats today and tomorrow.
Data security has never carried higher stakes. Cyber threats are accelerating, regulations are tightening, and quantum computers are getting closer to disrupting traditional encryption methods. Attackers are already stealing encrypted data today with the intent to decrypt it later—once quantum computers are powerful enough. This “harvest now, decrypt later” approach puts sensitive information such as intellectual property, financial records, government communications, and personal data at serious risk.
Addressing these threats requires more than stronger encryption—it requires easy to deploy encryption that can scale to the highest network speeds without compromise. For businesses and network operators handling sensitive data, the challenge is clear: how do you ensure confidentiality as data moves between locations, devices, and applications, today and into the future? Let’s dive in.
Security without tradeoffs: High-speed quantum-safe protection
Securing high-capacity, in-flight data in the quantum era starts with proven high-speed optical encryption that protects data while it’s moving—where it’s often most vulnerable. Ciena’s WaveLogic Encryption builds on a long history of coherent optical innovation and industry firsts—from 200G to 400G to 800G—and now extends that leadership with the industry’s only WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) 1.6Tb/s quantum-safe optical encryption solution. For operators, this means they can protect more data than ever before across any distance—while staying ahead of current cyber threats and the imminent threat of quantum computers. Besides the benefit of always-on, AES-256-GCM data encryption at the highest optical speeds available today —without impacting performance or operational complexity — it also means you don’t have to choose between high security and high performance or immediate protection and future readiness.
3 key benefits for your business
How can you ensure your data stays confidential—today and tomorrow? Ciena’s WaveLogic Encryption solution is designed to protect your high-value data today and into the future with support for both post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) interworking. This translates to the following key business benefits:
1. You’re protected today and ready for what comes next. Cryptographic threats evolve, and algorithms that are secure today may not be tomorrow. That’s why our solution is built with crypto agility, allowing you to adapt quickly to new standards, protocols, and PQC algorithms through software—without disruptive upgrades or costly rip-and-replace cycles. You can even run hybrid cryptographic approaches, supporting current and post-quantum algorithms simultaneously.
2. You get maximum performance with zero compromise. Data security shouldn’t slow your business down. Our solution delivers ultra-low latency, wire-speed encryption up to 1.6Tb/s—enabling high-performance applications like AI workload distribution, real-time trading, and mission-critical communications.
3. Deployment is simple and security is always on. Encryption integrates directly into the transport network, using a compact modular form-factor deployed on the popular Waveserver platform - eliminating the need for external devices or complex configurations. Always-on encryption ensures data is protected at all times and removes the risk of human error that can leave traffic unintentionally exposed. The result: faster deployments, fewer touchpoints, and greater peace of mind.
Why WaveLogic Encryption delivers real customer value
Best-in-class optical encryption
Trusted and deployed globally, Ciena’s WaveLogic Encryption leverages industry-leading coherent optics to deliver high-speed, standards-compliant data security. Features like fast key rotation (every second), separate keys for encryption and authentication, and third-party certifications ensure the highest level of in-flight data protection.- Quantum-safe out of the box
Protection against quantum computer threats begins immediately upon deployment. With AES-256-GCM encryption and support for NIST-certified PQC algorithms, customers gain robust defense against key-exchange vulnerabilities—without the need for add-ons or custom integrations. And existing WaveLogic 5e 800G encryption deployments can also benefit through a simple software upgrade. - QKD-ready for ultimate security needs
For use cases requiring unconditional security of critical data, the solution supports seamless interworking with any third-party QKD system via an ETSI-standard API. This enables quantum-generated keys that are used to quantum-secure communication channels against even the most advanced threats.
Understanding the real-world impact across industries
For security-conscious customers across industries handling sensitive and mission-critical data the shift towards quantum-safe communications has already begun. Enabling quantum-safe communications scaling up to 1.6Tbps is groundbreaking – but the impact the solution brings across industries is what really makes it shine.
- Cloud providers gain the highest-speed secure connectivity available to interconnect data centers and distribute AI workloads—while maximizing Ethernet client connectivity and fiber capacity across all network links.
- Service providers can differentiate their offerings with high-capacity, quantum-safe services, including Encryption-as-a-Service (EaaS), while maintaining application performance and giving end customers greater control over their security certificates.
- Financial institutions can protect highly-sensitive data with ultra-low latency encryption that immediately mitigates “harvest now, decrypt later” risks and supports compliance with global security standards.
- Healthcare organizations can safeguard long-lived patient records, imaging data, and research information—protecting patient trust while meeting evolving regulatory requirements.
- Government and defense agencies can secure classified communications, national security plans, and critical infrastructure command systems using a solution that adheres to government-sponsored regulatory compliance, including NIST-certified PQC algorithms and FIPS 140-3 Level 2 certification.
High-speed data security that’s ready for what’s next
The shift to quantum-safe communications is underway. Ciena’s WaveLogic Encryption makes it easy to protect critical in-flight data today while preparing for the security challenges of tomorrow. With unmatched capacity scaling to 1.6Tbps, the highest performance, and built-in quantum resistance, it delivers the confidence organizations need to securely connect across any distance.
Want to see it in action? Visit us at OFC 2026 and experience the future of quantum-safe networking firsthand.