Thursday, January 27, 2011
Melbourne (PRWEB) January 26, 2011
Australia's world-leading data security company, Senetas Corporation Limited (ASX:SEN), is to expand its presence in Africa through a collaboration agreement with QZN Technology (Pty Ltd), a spin-off of the Centre for Quantum Technology (CQT), Africa's forerunner in Quantum Information Technology.
A recently-signed agreement between Senetas and QZN, based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, will expand the reach of Senetas' globally-certified high speed network encryption hardware and quantum encryption solutions into the African market.
QZN is a technology-based company that was established in 2010 as a commercial vehicle of the CQT to focus on innovative security solutions through quantum physics.
Abdul R Mirza, Director - Business Development with QZN said, "With Africa's rapidly developing economy, this partnership will be mutually beneficial for all parties. The agreement will allow QZN to expand its product range to conventional information security solutions while developing next generation quantum-secured devices. The vision is to provide quantum technology-based solutions for high precision instrumentation and cryptography."
"QZN offers solutions around high-speed communication security both in the classical and quantum domain. The strong passion for innovation is illustrated through the company's close working relationship with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as with many leading local and international research centres," said Francesco Petruccione, Director of Research and Development at QZN.
Senetas CEO, John DuBois said South Africa, as the powerhouse of the African continent, presents significant business opportunities for data security solutions within government and the country's well-regulated finance and banking systems.
"South Africa is an important emerging economy with established infrastructure. As the gateway to the rest of Africa, we believe our collaboration with QZN from its base in South Africa best positions Senetas to take advantage of appropriate opportunities across the continent," he said.
Mr DuBois said Senetas head office in Australia would initially work with QZN to identify and qualify sales opportunities while providing support through Senetas' established global support network.
Together with Swiss technology partner, IDQuantique, Senetas previously collaborated with the Centre for Quantum Technology, in the deployment of 'QuantumCity', a world first in which the Durban Municipality of eThekwini delivered city-wide e-services on its own quantum-secured communications network.
Last year Senetas, IDQuantique and QZN provided a quantum-based cryptography solution for a critical communication link at the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadium in Durban, South Africa. This was the first time a globally relevant event used such technology.
About QZN
QZN Technology (Pty) Ltd is a technology company with focus on innovative security solutions using quantum physics. The company was established in 2010 through the University of KwaZulu-Natal's innovation company, UKZN Innovation (Pty) Ltd, as a technology incubator for the research conducted at the Centre for Quantum Technology, a Research Group in the School of Physics headed by the South African Research Chair in Quantum Information Science, Professor Francesco Petruccione. The major funding for research and development at the Centre was made possible through a grant obtained from the Innovation Fund, an instrument of the South African National Research Foundation. QZN Technology's key employees are: Abdul R Mirza (Director - Business Development), Francesco Petruccione (Director - R&D) and Charles Freeman (Product Development Manager).
About Senetas
Data protection company, Senetas Corporation Limited (ASX Code: SEN), established in Australia since 1997 is the world's leading developer and supplier of high speed network encryption hardware products. Its products are accredited to the highest international government security standards (FIPS 140-2 Level 3 and Common Criteria EAL4+). Senetas is now represented in more than 40 countries and provides data protection solutions for government, military and law enforcement agencies as well as leading financial institutions in Australia, USA, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the EU.
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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/01/prweb5000654.htm
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/01/26/prweb5000654.DTL
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