At the end of December 2019, researchers from the University of Science and Technology. King Abdullah (Saudi Arabia) and the University of St Andrews (Scotland) have presented a new unbreakable security system. They have created an optical microchip that allows information to be sent from user to user through a one-time communication channel. According to the creators, even quantum computers are incapable of breaking such cryptography.
Modern cryptographic techniques allow for fast data exchange, but quantum algorithms will one day make it easy to break. The creators of the microchip argue that their method of cryptography cannot be hacked, and it takes up less space on the network than traditional communications. The proposed system uses keys generated by an optical chip, which are not stored or transmitted with the message. As a result, they cannot be recreated or intercepted.
Researchers from the University of Science and Technology. King Abdullah and St Andrews University Unveil New Unbreakable Security System
The new technology is absolutely unbreakable, as we demonstrated in the article. It can be used to protect confidential communications of users separated by any distance, at near-light speeds, and using inexpensive optical chips that are compatible with electronics, ” explained the head of the study, Professor Andrea di Falco from the School of Physics and Astronomy. at the University of St Andrews.
According to the developers, their technology opens up a completely new cryptography technique that provides "perfect secrecy" on a global scale with minimal costs.
Implementing massive and affordable global security techniques is a worldwide challenge, and we offer an elegant solution. If this scheme is implemented all over the world, crypto hackers will have to look for another job, the study authors note.
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Testing of quantum encryption on fiber optic lines with a length of 143 kilometers
On September 25, 2019 it became known that the Kazan Quantum Center of the Kazan National Research Technical University named after A. N. Tupolev - KAI (KKTs KNITU-KAI), Rostelecom and Tattelecom successfully provided the exchange of quantum encryption keys on a fiber-optic communication line (FOCL) with a length of 143 kilometers. This is a record for operating commercial communication networks. Earlier, in 2018, Rostelecom tested a similar technology on FOCL with a length of 58 kilometers.
In Tatarstan, a test FOCL (fiber-optic communication line) connected the Practical Quantum Cryptography laboratory of the KKTs KNITU-KAI with the Rostelecom communication center in Apastovo. The testing involved the backbone networks of two independent telecom operators - Rostelecom and Tattelecom, which is important for the practical implementation of quantum communications.
One of the technical challenges is to ensure the transmission of quantum keys over long distances in fiber-optic lines. The tested prototype of a data transmission and reception complex with hybrid quantum-classical protection was developed at KNITU-KAI and supports the transmission of quantum keys over long distances. It includes a system for quantum key distribution at side frequencies, a crypto router and a single photon detector manufactured by the Russian company SKONTEL. The development of the St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO University) was used as the initial system for quantum key distribution.
When testing the operation of the crypto router, videoconference sessions were organized between two communication nodes at a distance of 143 kilometers with an optical loss in the channel of 37 dB. For the exchange of encryption keys, a stream of single photons was used, in the quantum states of which classical information was written. Quantum distribution of keys took place at a modulation phase change frequency of 100 MHz with an average number of photons of 0.2 per one modulation clock. The average value of the rate of generation of quantum keys in the channel made it possible to change the 256-bit encryption key up to twice a minute.
Experts believe that quantum communications provide the highest degree of protection of data transmission over fiber-optic lines that exists in September 2019. The technology is based on the use of fundamental laws of quantum physics that cannot be circumvented. To exchange encryption keys, the technology uses single photons, the states of which change irrevocably as soon as someone tries to "read" them. Any interception attempt will be immediately detected and prevented.
Rostelecom has organized an experimental data transfer network with quantum encryption in Russia
On June 5, 2019, Rostelecom presented an experimental data transfer network with quantum encryption. For the first time, it uses equipment and solutions from different manufacturers with the organization of their correct interaction along the entire data transmission path. Also, for the first time in the country, such a network has several nodes with the technical ability to connect many users, regardless of the location of their offices and the used cryptographic equipment with QKD (quantum key distribution technology).
The pilot network in St. Petersburg includes nodes in Rostelecom's laboratories on Sinopskaya embankment, in the SafeNet engineering center on Aptekarsky prospect, and in the communications museum on Pochtamtsky lane. All of them are connected with each other by Rostelecom's high-speed fiber-optic data lines. To organize the protection of information transmission using the QKD, only domestic equipment and solutions are involved - the St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO University), the Russian Quantum Center, T8, and S-Terra. The multinode network presented in St. Petersburg generates more than 2000 bits of secret key information in 1 second.
For about a year Rostelecom has been engaged in in-depth testing of equipment and solutions of domestic vendors in the field of quantum communications. On the whole, we are satisfied with the results, they prove that the use of the KKK is technically affordable on the existing infrastructure of Rostelecom. Now we are moving to a fundamentally new level of testing, when a multi-node network is created with equipment from different vendors. On such a network, it is important for us to test and show potential clients prototypes of commercial services, for example, the organization of protection of backbone data transmission channels or virtual private networks (VPNs) using QKD. Future commercial services will be tested on the network created in St. Petersburg, - said Boris Glazkov, vice president for strategic initiatives of Rostelecom.
Rostelecom expects in the next two years to launch the first commercial services using quantum key distribution (QKD) technology - it guarantees the highest degree of data transmission protection, as it is based on fundamental laws of physics. This was stated by the president of the company Mikhail Oseevsky.
Experts believe that quantum communications provide the highest level of data transmission security available in June 2019. The technology is based on the use of fundamental laws of quantum physics that cannot be circumvented. To exchange encryption keys, the technology uses single photons, the states of which change irrevocably as soon as someone tries to "read" them. Any interception attempt will be immediately detected and prevented.
Tests of the system for quantum protection of data transmission on FOCL of Rostelecom
On January 29, 2019, Rostelecom announced that it had successfully completed the second stage of testing domestic equipment and solutions for the organization of quantum protection of data transmission on the existing fiber-optic communication line (FOCL). The test participants were the Russian Quantum Center (RQC), QRate and S-Terra CSP.
Quantum cryptography has not yet reached the level of practical use, but has come close to it. There are several organizations in the world where active research in the field of quantum cryptography is being conducted. Among them are IBM, GAP-Optique, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Los Alamos National Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), as well as the young MagiQ company and the QinetiQ holding, supported by the British Department of Defense. The range of participants covers both the world's largest institutions and small start-up companies, which allows us to talk about the initial period in the formation of a market segment, when both of them can participate on equal terms.
Of course, the quantum direction of cryptographic information protection is very promising, since quantum laws make it possible to bring information protection methods to a qualitatively new level. To date, there is already experience in the creation and testing of a computer network protected by quantum-cryptographic methods - the only network in the world that cannot be hacked.
Quantum computing poses a threat to cybersecurity
Asymmetric cryptography is based on two keys: one can encrypt data, the other is used to decrypt it. In theory, quantum computers will be able to solve problems significantly faster than conventional computers and will be able to decrypt private keys. Given the pace of development of quantum computing, this could happen in 5-10 years.
With the advent of quantum computers, traditional encryption will no longer be effective. This means that all the valuable information that is transmitted in encrypted form will suffer, banking transactions and cryptocurrencies will be at risk, attackers will be able to gain access to critical energy facilities from anywhere in the world, etc. As the expert noted, this problem will affect not only the intelligence community and experts in the field of cybersecurity, but also social platforms and messengers, such as WhatsApp, which use keys to authorize users.
Standardization2019: NPK Kryptonit will lead the development of post-quantum cryptography standards in Russia
Heads of the cryptography laboratory of NPK Kryptonit will develop drafts of national standards of the Russian Federation that define post-quantum mechanisms of cryptographic information protection. The decision was made at a meeting of the technical committee for standardization "Cryptographic protection of information" (TC 26), reported in the NPK "Kryptonite" on November 19, 2019.
Quantum cryptography for mobile devices
Quantum cryptography is an extremely reliable method in theory to protect communication channels from eavesdropping, but in practice it is still quite difficult to implement it. Complex equipment must be installed at both ends of the channel - single photon sources, photon polarization controls and sensitive detectors. In order to measure the angle of polarization of photons, it is necessary to know exactly how the equipment is oriented at both ends of the channel. Because of this, quantum cryptography is not suitable for mobile devices.
Scientists from the University of Bristol have proposed a scheme in which complex equipment is needed only for one negotiator. The second only modifies the state of the photons, encoding this information, and sends them back. The equipment for this can be placed in a pocket device. The authors also propose a solution to the problem of equipment orientation. Measurements are taken in random directions. The list of directions can be published openly, but only coinciding directions will be taken into account when decoding.