QSIMpost-Opt

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a cutting-edge security technology where senders and receivers exchange quantum photons to share encryption keys that cannot be eavesdropped. However, the *raw key signal* received as photons must undergocomplex Post-Processingto become the final cryptographic key.

This process requires detailed parameter tuning (e.g., decoy ratio, detector noise threshold, protocol settings, etc.), and the optimal values vary for each QKD device and environment. Experts have been manually adjusting these parameters for weeks. Incorrect tuning can significantly reduce key production speed or create security vulnerabilities, posing a barrier for companies to adopt QKD without specialized knowledge.

Improvements require sharing confidential equipment design data with external consultants, which raises security concerns. In other words, excessive time and costs are consumed in post-processing optimization, which is the final stage of QKD commercialization.

QSIMpost-Opt automates QKD post-processing with AI/machine learning. By adding this library to existing QKD equipment software as a plugin, the algorithm learns the actual operating data of the equipment in real-time and sets the optimal post-processing pipeline parameters for the environment and device characteristics.

For example, it automatically adjusts the decoy signal ratio according to the noise level of the photon detector or channel loss to extract the most efficient security key. It also supports various QKD protocols (BB84, etc.) for immediate application to various systems, and ensures safety by tuning while verifying that the settings meet security standards through built-in attack simulations.

As a result, customers can extract the maximum length of security keys without external experts, reducing development time and costs by more than 75%. Importantly, equipment setting data is not leaked externally during this process, and sensitive parameters can be protected in-house because the local AI handles it.

In short, QSIMpost-Opt is a groundbreaking solution that allows AI to handle the troublesome final step of QKD, making quantum cryptography infrastructure construction easy, fast, and secure.

The target customers are institutions that build and operate QKD systems. Typically, telecommunications companies or internet backbone operators can maximize key production by using this software when building long-distance quantum cryptographic networks.

Also,Defense/Government Security Agencies (B2G)are also key customers because they can perform self-optimization without external know-how when introducing QKD. QKD equipment manufacturers can provide it as a bundle with their products to increase added value (B2B2B form).

Currently, general companies (B2B) such as financial institutions or data centers are in the experimental application stage of QKD, so they are likely to purchase it together when introducing QKD. In short, high-security network builders in the B2B/B2G area are the main targets.

This solution is directly linked to the growth of the quantum cryptographic communication market. The QKD market is currently in its early stages, but infrastructure investment is increasing in each country, so there is great potential for future expansion.

QSIMpost-Opt is not dependent on specific hardware and is universal software, so it is scalable to various QKD systems around the world. In addition, by applying the principle, there is room for expansion to other quantum technology post-processing such as quantum random number generator tuning or quantum sensor signal processing in the future.

In terms of regulations, only the degree of export control of cryptographic technology by country should be noted, and although it is a Korean company, licensing is sufficiently possible in the global market (Europe, North America, etc.). However, since it is still a limited field of quantum communication, it is difficult to become a product that is widely used like the general IT market. Instead, if it becomes an industry standard, it will gain continuous demand as an essential module in this field.

The CES 2026 Innovation Award in the AI category is the result of highly valuing the use of AI to solve difficult quantum technology problems. In the quantum computing/communication industry, there is great expectation, saying, *"It solved the biggest challenge in QKD operation."

Experts were amazed at automating the tuning that used to take weeks, and noted the achievement that *"key throughput increased significantly after optimization"* as a use case. Although it is somewhat difficult for general IT media to understand this technology, they introduced it as *"a special AI utilization case in the security field"* and reported on the Innovation Award.

The level of technical completion is known to have already been verified in testbeds in Korea and elsewhere, and the presentation content reflects the reality well. Market expectations go hand in hand with the expansion of quantum security infrastructure.

However, there is a risk of being undervalued due to low public interest because it is an extremely specialized area, and the startup that developed it is not well known except to industry officials. However, telecommunications companies and government agencies that actually need it are showing deep interest, which is positive for actual monetization. It is said to be a solution that "those who need it definitely recognize" without overestimation factors.