Quantum Cryptography: The Future of Secure Communications

M A R K E T B R I E F
Quantum Cryptography
The spectrum of threats and types of attackers targeting corporate individuals looking to receive encrypted messages send out encryptionbusiness information systems are growing, creating security concerns keys publicly, while keeping private keys for themselves. The secrecy offor businesses. At the same time, public and private standards applied the keys relies on computational complexity of certain hard mathematicaltoward information protection are becoming increasingly stringent. problems. However, mathematics is constantly advancing. SomeoneIn this environment, businesses are paying increased attention to could develop an algorithm that could break or solve the currentnew measures that enhance security. Quantum Cryptography is mathematical problem. In addition, eavesdropping on the key is currentlyan emerging security technology that may offer some new not detectable. That means that users do not know if someone isprotection measures. tampering with their keys. Quantum key distribution can help solvesome of these issues.CryptographyCryptography is a centuries-old method of communicating sensitive Architecturally, quantum technology enhances Private Key Cryptologyinformation between two parties in such a way that a third party is by making the exercise of key sharing difficult to compromise. On arestricted from obtaining it. For example, Rose and Fred need to high level, quantum-based transmissions can exist only in uncompromisedcommunicate sensitive information. Rose uses an algorithm, called a networks where no third party connections are made. If a quantum-cipher, to convert the message into unintelligible cipher text (encryption), based transmission is wiretapped, it is designed to cease to exist. which can then be sent through an open channel. Fred receives themessage and must apply a matching cipher to convert the message Quantum Key Distributionback into plain text (decryption). The ciphers are controlled by a set Quantum Cryptography has nothing to do with the process ofof parameters, called a key. The key is a tool used to encrypt and encryption by itself. Quantum Cryptography is focused on the actualdecrypt. Quantum Cryptography is centered around this key. Both transmission of the private key from the party that encoded theparties, Fred and Rose, must have a key. message to the party that is going to decode it. When applied tocryptography, quantum technology exists in the form of Quantum KeyThere are two types of Cryptography, Public Key Cryptography and Distribution (QKD) protocol. Proposed in 1984 by two IBM engineers,Private Key Cryptography. The method in which the keys are quantum physics enables the basic principles of QKD operation. distributed is the differentiator. The simplest and the most ancientform of key sharing uses private keys. Private Key Cryptography uses In the case of quantum cryptography, particles used to transferidentical keys for encryption and decryption. Rose takes a message, information are called quantum bits (qubits). An important quality puts it in a safe box, locks it with a key, and ships the box to Fred. of these particles is that they can only be measured once and in a Fred uses the same key to unlock the message. The issue is that twokeys are needed in separate locations. Frequent and reliable keydistribution is needed with this type of cryptography. If the key were What Makes Quantum Key Distribution Desirable?compromised, it would be difficult to replace. Quantum Cryptography in general relies on the laws ofPublic Key Cryptography was ushered into existence by the computer quantum mechanics. This happens because theage. With this method, different keys are used for encryption and transmission is carried by a single particle, which indeeddecryption. Encryption is done with a publicly announced key, which can be measured only once. A consequence of the singleencrypts with bits. Today, 128 bit encryption is being used. Decryption measurement is that it is possible to detect eavesdropping. is completed using a private key, which is not shared. The idea is thatMarket Brief _-Q__u_a_n_t_u_m__ _C_r_y_p_t_o_g_r_a_p_h__y___________________________________________________________________________________ 2
pre-set manner (basis). Measurement actually destroys qubits; From quantum concepts flows the IEEE protocol. The baselinetherefore, measurement only take... [download for more]