Austria strengthens digital sovereignty with AT-C3 chip competence centre

AIT contributes three key competences: quantum encryption, photonic sensors on-the-chip and cyber security. Andreas Kugi, Scientific Director, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology: "The AT-C³ is another important cornerstone in strengthening Austria's leading role in the European semiconductor and chip industry. By pooling our expertise in the key technologies of quantum, photonics and cyber security, we are making a decisive contribution to Europe's technological sovereignty and creating a strong foundation to sustainably promote the innovative strength and competitiveness of the Austrian economy."

European focus on digital independence

The Austrian competence centre is one of 29 centres in the EU that are being set up as part of the EU Digital Europe Programme (DEP). The aim is to establish a network of "one-stop shops" for chip technologies that support companies, start-ups and research institutions in the development and implementation of innovations. With total funding of 8 million euros, half from the EU and half from the Austrian state, AT-C³ will be established as a key player for the semiconductor industry.

The new competence centre will provide access to European pilot lines and design platforms, improve the qualifications of the workforce and support SMEs and start-ups in particular. 55% of the funding is reserved specifically for these target groups. This will not only strengthen the domestic electronics ecosystem, but also pave the way for innovative solutions in areas such as advanced materials, thin film technologies, quantum and photonics as well as cyber security technologies. By the end of 2025, specific services will be developed to give companies and researchers easy access to these technologies. Part of the consortium are: AIT Austrian Institute Of Technology, Materials Center Leoben (MCL), Polymer Competence Centre Leoben (PCCL), Silicon Austria Labs (SAL), Graz University of Technology (TUG), Silicon Alps Cluster (SAC) and ESBS-Austria as Associated Partner.

AIT is a technical pacemaker in key technology areas

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology contributes key technologies and expertise to the consortium. Today, it is regarded as the leading competence centre for the development of quantum technologies and photonics-on-the-chip solutions in Europe and plays an important role in the European Quantum Flagship Programme and the EuroQCI initiative, which focus on the development of a highly secure quantum infrastructure throughout the EU. One current project, for example, is QCI-CAT, which deals with the development of a quantum communication infrastructure for highly secure government applications in the EU and will implement specific applications in Austria. At a national level, the AIT is also playing a leading role in projects dealing with quantum-safe cryptography for the transmission of confidential information between authorities, which are funded by the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) as part of the national security research programme KIRAS. Other important developments are being carried out as part of the European PETRUS project, which involves the development of the next generation of quantum communication networks in Europe with the aim of building a European cyber defence shield based on a quantum communication infrastructure. The necessary development of a European manufacturing industry is supported by the Nostradamus initiative, which addresses the establishment of a test infrastructure for quantum key distribution (QKD) in Europe, which should enable the future evaluation of QKD devices from European manufacturers.

A particular focus of the quantum researchers is on miniaturising the devices required for quantum communication in preparation for a broad market launch. Light (photons) plays a key role here, as it can be used to realise simple photonic and tiny circuits for the implementation of quantum optical systems in quantum communication networks by using special quantum optical phenomena. The AIT has internationally recognised expertise in the field of photonic sensor technology, which is a key technology as it will enable significant performance increases compared to conventional technologies in the future and significantly improve the range and resolution of sensor systems. The resulting market-ready quantum key distribution (QKD) technology utilises the principles of quantum mechanics to secure communication by using photons or quantum light particles to transmit the keys for decrypting information. Any attempt to intercept these quantum keys interrupts their state and warns users of possible eavesdropping attacks. This technology guarantees fundamentally secure data exchange and puts QKD at the forefront of cyber security. With these photonic technology developments for the IT and telecommunications industry, the AIT is making an important contribution to Austria as a high-tech industrial centre.

With its many years of experience in the field of cyber security, the AIT has established itself as a trustworthy partner for national authorities and as a respected institution in the European research community. AIT's expert teams utilise machine learning to develop innovative technologies and solutions for the increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape. This proactive approach helps to minimise threats arising from the increasing complexity and networking of ICT infrastructures and to combat unknown attack vectors. AIT's specialised IT security solutions and services set standards in the industry and promote the competitiveness of Austrian products on the global market through Austrian know-how.

Building on this technological and research expertise, AIT now offers cyber security training and exercises worldwide to support society, critical infrastructure providers and businesses. AIT has developed a unique digital and hybrid simulation platform and operates a training centre at its Vienna site - the AIT Cyber Range. The AIT Cyber Range has developed into a facility of international standing, supporting organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - which has appointed AIT as the world's first IAEA Collaborating Centre in the field of cyber security for nuclear safety in IAEA member states - in its training and exercises and conducting training and exercises for customers in Austria and beyond.

Helmut Leopold, Head of Centre for Digital Safety & Security, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology: "With AT-C³, we are strengthening our services for Austria as a business location. In this way, we can make our internationally leading expertise in the fields of quantum technologies, photonics and cyber security available to Austrian companies even more effectively. At the same time, this gives us the opportunity to build a bridge to Europe-wide networks and expertise in these key technologies."