[Chapter-delegates] changed: Quantum communication

[Jorma Mellin]

Hi all,

The journalist haven’t done much research on this topic obviously, but the issue is quite complicated I admit.
To clear up quantum a bit:

Quantum computers are dealing with quantum bits or qubits. Nothing to do with cryptography directly.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is exchanging keys whose security is derived from quantum mechanical channels
(photonics). This is what the article below is referring to.
Post-Quantum or Quantum resistant cryptography are algorithms that that run efficiently on classical computers but
are hard to break on quantum computers (with quantum algorithms).

Now, existing (strong) cryptographic algorithms do pretty well against quantum computers if symmetric encryption is used and
the key size is large enough. CNSS (Committee on National Security Systems) and NSA (National Security Agency) have
already revised cryptographic recommendations back in 2015 (CNSSAM 02-15) to include only strong algorithms and
appropriate key sizes.

Quantum computers, when available, pose a couple of problems that need solving, and QKD is not one of them.
1. Post-quantum algorithm that can provide 30+ years security against cryptanalysis
2. Post-quantum algorithm for public key cryptography and key exchange

There are significant work ongoing for post-quantum algorithms, mainly by COMSEC authorities (U.S. and U.K) but also
by Google and Microsoft. NIST (in U.S) is currently running a standardisation process with deadline Nov, 30 2017 (and
following 3-5 years analysis phase). There exists some solution proposals already.

Seems like the western scientist are not so focused on QKD and think that post-quantum algorithms are way better solution.
This seems logical because they need to secure the data 30+ years, not just prevent eavesdropping (of key exchange).

It is undeniable that China invests huge amount of resources to quantum technology. Today we see the QKD part, tomorrow
maybe something else.

Jorma Mellin
------------------------------------------
Jorma Mellin <jome at ficix.fi>
Ambassador, FICIX





> On 26 Jul 2017, at 12:23, Veni Markovski <veni at veni.com> wrote:
> 
> Vint and colleagues,
> What do you know / think about this?
> 
> http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40565722
> 
> China set to launch an 'unhackable' internet communication
> 
> ...
> Leaving the West behind
> If quantum communication can help to secure online communications, why is China so far ahead?
> "For a long time people simply didn't think it was needed," says Prof Myungshik Kim of Imperial College, London, adding that it was not clear whether there was a commercial market for this technology.
> "The mathematical difficulty of the current coding system was so high that it was not thought necessary to implement the new technology," he says. 
> The research itself is not new and China does not have an edge over the competition. Where it does have an advantage is when it comes to applications. 
> "Europe has simply missed the boat," says Prof Anton Zeilinger, a quantum physicist at Vienna University in Austria and a pioneer in the field. 
> He says he tried to convince the EU as early as 2004 to fund more quantum-based projects but it had little effect. 
> "Europe has been dragging its feet and this has hindered us from being able to compete," he says.
> 
> There are quantum key-based networks operating in the US and Europe but most are being carried out as research projects, rather than with commercial partners...
> 
> -- 
> Best regards,
> Veni
> http://veni.com
> 
> ***
> The opinions expressed above 
> are those of the author, not of 
> any organizations, associated 
> with or related to him in 
> any given way.
> ***
> 
> 
> == Sent from my phone, so any spelling mistakes are caused by the touchscreen keyboard. Also, that's the reason for using short words and phrases.
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