Next Generation Infrastructures (NGinfra) is a collaboration of six major Dutch infrastructure operators: ProRail (rail), Schiphol Airport, Port of Rotterdam, Alliander (energy), Vitens (tap water) and Rijkswaterstaat (public road and waterways). Its purpose is to accelerate the development and deployment of secure, sustainable, and future-proofed digital and energy infrastructure in the Netherlands. NGinfra does so by aligning public and private stakeholders, fostering knowledge sharing and innovation, and initiating joint programs and pilot initiatives that strengthen critical infrastructures.
Facing growing pressures from aging networks, climate change impacts and geopolitical tensions, these operators sought clarity on how quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) could strengthen the resilience, sustainability and cybersecurity of the Netherlands’ critical infrastructure.
The challenge: Scaling quantum and AI innovation across their infrastructure
The infrastructure operators needed to align fragmented innovation initiatives and scale promising AI and quantum pilots beyond proof-of-concept stages throughout their ecosystems.
Applying quantum readiness to future modernization
We partnered with NGinfra to deliver a cross-sector AI and quantum readiness strategy to turn existing technology into coordinated, practical action across the Dutch infrastructure ecosystem.
AI and quantum are not goals in themselves, but powerful means to build a resilient, future-proof infrastructure – faster, smarter, and more sustainable.
- NGinfra & CGI White paper, 2025
Quantum connectivity could provide an essential defense against threats like hacking
Regional Director IJsselmeergebied at Rijkswaterstaat
Our approach
Conduct in-depth interviews and analysis with the six infrastructure operators to assess opportunities, barriers and maturity levels in AI and quantum use. We helped to develop a shared roadmap prioritizing quantum communication networks, post-quantum security (new methods to keep information safe even when quantum computers become capable of cracking current encryption), and optimization pilots that included computing intensive tasks such as logistical planning systems, traffic models, or airport gate scheduling.
We also:
- Facilitated knowledge exchange among the six operators through a proposed Community of Practice for AI and Quantum, with a common goal of accelerating vendor-neutral collaboration and long-term capability building.
- Supported compliance alignment with the EU AI Act and international standards such as ISO 55000 to ensure responsible and sovereign adoption of emerging technologies.
- Identified and prioritized quantum-ready pilot programs, such as Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) implementation and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in the Port of Rotterdam—a world-first in advancing quantum-secure critical infrastructure security.
PQC is a way of updating today’s encryption so it stays secure even when powerful quantum computers are available, while QKD is a different approach that uses the laws of quantum physics to securely send encryption keys, so that if anyone tries to intercept them, the system immediately detects it. QKD is a different, complementary approach to PQC in that it uses the laws of quantum physics to enable secure communication—if anyone tries to eavesdrop, the system immediately detects and prevents information leaks.
Business outcomes: Advancing quantum readiness
- Strategic preparedness: Established the Netherlands’ first whitepaper for quantum and AI readiness across critical transport, energy and water infrastructure sectors.
- Enhanced cybersecurity: Advised how early adoption of PQC and QKD pilots positions the operators as leaders in quantum-safe critical infrastructure.
- Knowledge leadership: Created the foundation for a multi-sector learning network to accelerate secure innovation and strengthen sovereign digital capability.
- Future resilience: Strengthened cross-sector quantum and AI innovation to ensure energy grids, water systems, transport, and logistics systems remain robust and adaptive.
Through our partnership with NGinfra, we helped translate quantum readiness and AI strategy from promising theory into a coordinated roadmap by aligning the six infrastructure operators around a shared strategy of resilience and cybersecurity. By advancing focused initiatives such as PQC and QKD, and encouraging structured cross-sector collaboration, NGinfra is helping lead the charge in the Netherlands’ quantum-secure infrastructure.
While the journey toward scalable quantum computers will continue to evolve, this foundation ensures that the Netherlands’ essential energy, water, transport, and logistics systems are prepared for the future and positioned to navigate it with confidence.
