Decoy-State QKD Goes Urban: Secure Key Distribution Field Demo Showcases Logistics Encryption Potential

In late May 2014, experimental teams conducted city-scale demonstrations of quantum key distribution (QKD) using decoy-state protocols over optical fiber links. These trials achieved authenticated key generation across metropolitan distances, validating the practicality of QKD under real-world conditions.

For logistics, where inter-hub communication requires both speed and security, these demonstrations were vital proof-of-concept. They showed that quantum-secured links could support secure transfer of shipment data, tracking signals, or authentication messages—helping supply chains anticipate a future where quantum-resistant cryptography becomes standard.