Peter Gräf at an Online Conference on Quantum Communication as Strategic Infrastructure
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Peter Gräf, director and founder of the GRAEF Group, participated in a special online conference on the future of quantum communication. The joint session of the Federal Expert Commission on Cybersecurity and the Federal Working Group on Space was titled “Quantum Communication as Strategic Infrastructure for Germany and Europe—How Space and Cybersecurity Strengthen Our Technological Sovereignty.”
The event brought together perspectives from the fields of cybersecurity, space, research, and security policy. The focus was on the question of what technological and political conditions must be established to enable quantum communication to develop into a secure, resilient, and strategically important infrastructure for Germany and Europe.
Quantum communication is gaining strategic importance
Quantum communication has long since ceased to be merely a topic of basic research. The development of this technology touches on key issues of digital sovereignty, the protection of critical infrastructure, and Europe’s long-term competitiveness. Secure communication channels are of fundamental importance to government agencies, companies, research organizations, and operators of critical infrastructure.
As energy supply, transportation, healthcare, government, industry, and telecommunications become increasingly interconnected, the demands on the security of digital communications are also rising. Data must not only be transmitted quickly and reliably; it must also be protected against unauthorized access and targeted manipulation.
In this context, quantum communication is viewed as a potential component of future security architectures. Its development is closely linked to modern cryptography, high-performance communication networks, satellite technology, and the protection of digital systems.
Technological Sovereignty as a Shared Responsibility
Technological sovereignty means that Germany and Europe have sufficient expertise, infrastructure, and development opportunities to independently assess, deploy, and further develop security-related technologies. This includes research funding, a skilled workforce, secure supply chains, and close cooperation between government, academia, and industry.
When it comes to strategic technologies in particular, it is important to think long-term. Research projects, industrial applications, and policy frameworks must be coordinated. Only in this way can scientific findings be transformed into a robust infrastructure that is capable of meeting the demands of future crises and threat scenarios.
Cybersecurity and Space Exploration: A Joint Perspective
The joint session deliberately focused on linking two areas that are of great importance for Europe’s digital future: cybersecurity and space. Satellite-based communication systems can play a key role in connecting widely dispersed locations and ensuring redundant communication channels.
At the same time, space systems themselves must also be protected against cyberattacks, disruptions, and tampering. This applies to satellites, ground stations, control systems, and the data being transmitted. A secure communications infrastructure must therefore be planned holistically and must not be limited solely to individual technical components.
The discussion on quantum communication also highlights the fact that security issues increasingly extend beyond individual buildings or networks. Security strategies must integrate physical, digital, and organizational levels. Professional planning of security strategies therefore takes into account not only existing risks but also future technological developments.
Insights from Politics, Research, and the German Armed Forces
Among the announced keynote speakers were Florian Müller, Member of the Bundestag and member of the Committee on Research, Technology, Space, and Technology Assessment of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag; Dr. Alexandra-Gwyn Paetz, Head of the Department of Technological Sovereignty and Innovation at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space; and Vice Admiral Dr. Thomas Daum, Inspector for Cyber and Information Space of the German Armed Forces.
The various disciplinary perspectives made it clear that quantum communication cannot be viewed in isolation. Research and development, national security interests, military capabilities, and economic competitiveness are closely interrelated.
Why These Topics Are Important for Businesses
Even companies that are not directly involved in the development of quantum communication are affected by the changes in the digital security landscape. New technologies, stricter data protection requirements, and the increasing interconnectivity of systems call for flexible and forward-looking security strategies.
GRAEF Group: Focusing on Future-Oriented Safety
Peter Gräf’s participation in the online conference underscores the GRAEF Group’s interest in technological and security policy developments. As a security technology company, we closely monitor how requirements for the protection of buildings, facilities, communication channels, and critical infrastructure are changing.
Modern security is achieved through the interaction of various systems. Burglar alarm systems, access control, video surveillance, secure alarm transmission, and digital management processes must be effectively coordinated. In video surveillance, for example, it is not just image quality and storage capacity that matter. Network connections, access rights, data protection, and integration into existing security procedures are also crucial.
The GRAEF Group does not merely want to observe developments; it seeks to understand their significance for practical security planning. Our goal is to provide expert guidance to our customers and to develop solutions that meet both today’s requirements and the changes that will arise in the coming years.
Conclusion
The online conference on quantum communication focused on the importance of secure and resilient communications infrastructures for Germany and Europe. The intersection of cybersecurity, space exploration, research, and security policy demonstrates that technological sovereignty can only be achieved through joint efforts.
With Peter Gräf’s participation, the GRAEF Group reaffirms its commitment to closely monitoring technological developments and focusing on the future of security. After all, anyone who wants to protect infrastructure in a sustainable way must not only be aware of today’s risks but also understand the technologies that will shape the security landscape of tomorrow.
