The Walton Institute at SETU is the lead partner on a new project aimed at preventing cyber attacks.
The Irish Government and the EU are committing €10 million in a new initiative which aims to protect the transmission of sensitive data.
The main function of this new Quantum Communications Infrastructure Network will be to enable an ultra-secure form of encryption so that data can be transmitted safely without the risk of being hacked.
Technology specialists in six universities will pool their expertise and resources to future proof against the rising tide of cyber threats similar to the HSE hack that crippled our health service in May of last year.
The attack cost an estimated €80 million.
Dr Deirdre Kilbane is the Director of Research at The Walton Institute.
"It's a fantastic opportunity to be selected as the project from Ireland," she told WLR News.
The Institution will be working towards securing data using quantum technologies.
"People might like to secure sensitive data like their medical records or if they'd like to secure any of their banking transactions," Dr Kilbane said.
She says the Government may also have sensitive data they'd like to secure, while companies may want to secure their IT systems.
At present, the project is in Phase One, meaning each EU state is working on developing their own quantum network.
"Our quantum network will go from Dublin to Waterford and Cork, and we will develop beyond that when we can," Dr Kilkbane said.
During the next phase, which is in March, The Walton Institute will be looking at ways to connect our quantum networks to those across the EU.
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