Belden, a leading global provider of network infrastructure and connection solutions, has joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange as a corporate partner — a move driven by a commitment to developing quantum-safe networking solutions.
Belden’s engagement with the CQE will focus on the intersection of quantum communications and industrial networking, including collaborations aimed at quantum technology development and evaluating the best post-quantum cryptography (PQC) approach for its networking hardware products. PQC are encryption algorithms designed to withstand attacks from both classical computers and future quantum computers. Last year, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finalized post-quantum cryptography standards and recommends adoption by 2030.
"Just as Belden has long focused on reliability in secure communications, we now have the opportunity to explore what that entails in the quantum era," said Hiran Bhadra, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Technology Officer. "This partnership with CQE demonstrates our interest in emerging technologies, particularly the ones that have the potential to impact critical infrastructure, data, and communications.”
The CQE affiliation connects Belden to cutting-edge quantum research, vibrant startup ecosystems, and collaboration opportunities with leading technology companies, national laboratories, and academic institutions.
“By collaborating with the CQE’s leading researchers, technologists, and end users, Belden will have an opportunity to gain practical insights about quantum-secure communications — and our community will benefit from their networking expertise,” said David Awschalom, the University of Chicago’s Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering and Physics and the director of the CQE. “We welcome this opportunity to work together to advance networking security as quantum technologies move toward commercial utility.”
Belden’s connectivity technologies are used by a range of industries to secure power grids, railways, healthcare facilities, and broadband infrastructure — all sectors that face significant vulnerabilities once quantum computers can break today's encryption methods.
"From a technology perspective, this partnership positions us perfectly at the intersection of quantum communications and industrial networking," said Dr. Oliver Kleineberg, Vice President of Technology. “While post-quantum cryptography remains central, we are innovating at the intersection of quantum and classical networks to elevate our customers’ operations—enabling more secure, resilient, and high-performance hybrid networking.”
About the CQE: The CQE is based at the University of Chicago and anchored by the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Northwestern University, and Purdue University. The CQE includes more than 50 corporate, international, nonprofit, and regional partners.
About Belden: Belden Inc. delivers complete connection solutions that unlock untold possibilities for our customers, their customers and the world. We advance ideas and technologies that enable a safer, smarter and more prosperous future. Throughout our 120+ year history we have evolved as a company, but our purpose remains – making connections. By connecting people, information and ideas, we make it possible. We are headquartered in St. Louis and have manufacturing capabilities in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. For more information, visit belden.com.