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About us

History

For more than a decade, we’ve been shaping the future of network security. As a technology leader in highly secure transmission solutions, we develop encryption technologies that meet today’s demands – and are already prepared for tomorrow’s challenges, including the post-quantum era. 

Our milestones reflect how we combine innovation, government certification and international collaboration to protect critical infrastructure, government agencies and enterprises in the long term. From the world’s first 100Gbit/s optical encryption solution to the founding of Adva Network Security GmbH as an independent security organization, every year marks progress, partnership and an unwavering commitment to security.

  • 2025

    • As part of the DE-QOR project funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), we collaborated with research partners to develop a modular system for continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD). The goal: integrating quantum-safe key exchange into existing network infrastructure. In 2025, we demonstrated a scalable, real-time solution in extensive testing – a major step toward practical quantum communication in backbone networks.

  • 2024

    • We introduced 400Gbit/s crypto-agile encryption to meet growing demand for high-capacity, future-proof security. This marked a major advance in safeguarding data flows with line-rate performance and post-quantum readiness.

    • In the same year, we launched the strategic EU project TRUE-SEC under the 8ra IPCEI-CIS initiative. By expanding our Berlin site into a competence center for sovereign cloud access technology, we strengthened Europe’s digital resilience.

  • 2023

    • Our solutions meet the most stringent security standards: The 10Gbit/s network access device FSP 150-XG118Pro (CSH-G) with ConnectGuard™ Ethernet encryption received approval from the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) for use in classified environments up to “VS-NfD” and “NATO Restricted”.

  • 2022

    • With the establishment of Adva Network Security GmbH as an independent company with its own IT infrastructure, we laid the foundation for a sharper focus on critical infrastructure, government and security-sensitive networks.

    • At the same time, ADVA Optical Networking became part of the Adtran Group. Since then, we’ve operated independently as a wholly owned subsidiary under a zero-trust model.

  • 2021

    • We launched the world’s first commercial optical transport secured by post-quantum cryptography. This innovation combined classical and next-gen algorithms to protect mission-critical networks from future quantum threats.

    • That same year, we introduced the first crypto-agile, end-to-end Ethernet encryption solution. Built for evolving risks, it delivered robust Layer 2 security with flexibility to adopt quantum-safe cryptography. For this innovation, we received the Thuringian Innovation Award.

  • 2018

    • In this year, we introduced a standards-compliant key exchange interface to improve interoperability and strengthen encryption key management. It enabled seamless integration with third-party systems and reinforced secure, high-assurance communications.

  • 2017

    • We became the first company to gain BSI approval for 100Gbit/s Layer 1 optical encryption. The approved solution was cleared to protect classified VS-NfD, EU and NATO “Restricted” data, confirming our role as a trusted security partner.

  • 2016

    • This year saw us conduct the first demonstration of quantum key distribution in a live optical network. By integrating QKD with a commercial transport platform, we advanced quantum-safe networking for critical infrastructure.

  • 2014

    • We launched the industry’s first commercial 100Gbit/s optical encryption solution. Operating at Layer 1, it delivered real-time AES-256 security with ultra-low latency for high-capacity networks.

  • 2010

    • As a pioneer in network security, we developed the first optical 10Gbit/s encryption solution based on AES-256. This laid the groundwork for high-performance, secure Layer 1 data transmission – a milestone that paved the way for future high-speed encryption innovations.