Belden Partners With Chicago Quantum Exchange to Drive Innovation in Quantum-Safe Networking Solutions
Partnership positions company as industry leader in advancing critical infrastructure for the quantum era
Gaurav Dhamija (center), Senior Director of Technology and Strategy at Belden, and Tim Waters (second from right), Architecture and Technology at Belden, visit the laboratory of David Awschalom at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Leading the tour were (from left) graduate student José A. Méndez Méndez, postdoctoral scholar Cyrus Zeledon, and graduate student Swathi Chandrika. (Image by Anne Ryan for the CQE).
Quantum computing is approaching commercial reality. Industry experts predict that "Q-Day" – when quantum computers can break certain encryption modalities – could arrive as early as 2029. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finalized post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024 and recommends adoption by 2030. This creates an urgent need for quantum-ready networking infrastructure, and Belden is positioning itself to lead the industry's transition to quantum-secure communications.
"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, Sr. Vice President, Strategy & Technology. "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. Through this collaboration, Belden is charting a path toward quantum-secure infrastructure—piloting next-generation security innovations, rethinking product resilience and leading the transition to quantum-resistant networking.
Belden’s connectivity technologies secure the backbone of modern life, protecting power grids, railways, healthcare facilities and broadband infrastructure. These sectors face significant vulnerabilities once quantum computers can break today's encryption methods. Current cybersecurity threats will multiply exponentially in the quantum era, potentially exposing banking transactions, healthcare records and critical infrastructure communications.
"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.”
The CQE is an intellectual hub in
“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.”
The partnership represents Belden's latest evolution in its transformation from a connectivity product company to a comprehensive solutions provider. By integrating quantum readiness into its strategy, Belden ensures customers receive not just current connectivity solutions, but future-proof infrastructure prepared for the quantum age.
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
About Chicago Quantum Exchange
The CQE is based at the University of
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Mary Melchiorre
Manager, corporate marketing communications
+1.514.207.6106
mary.melchiorre@belden.com
Source: Belden Inc.
