Here comes the world’s first computer network protected by quantum cryptography! It is supposed to be the first unbreakable system that functions off a scheme based on the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Im simple words that means that you can’t grab information transmitted through the network without disturbing it somehow, making it easy to detect when somebody’s trying to listen in on exchanges.
When someone is about to hack the quantum exchange, photons in the network become scrambled and the rise in the error rate causes that line to get shut down. The exchange is then automatically rerouted through a different node so that the sender and receiver remain in continuous secure contact. Scientists are currently trying to market it to banks and other holders of sensitive information.
The network connects six locations across Vienna and in the nearby town of St Poelten, using 200 km of standard commercial fibre optic cables.
Quantum cryptography is completely different from the kinds of security schemes used on computer networks today.
These are typically based on complex mathematical procedures which are extremely hard for outsiders to crack but not impossible given sufficient computing resources or time.
But quantum systems use the laws of quantum theory, which have been shown to be inherently unbreakable.
encryption, network, quantum, science, security
This post was written by:
nerdeff - who has written 67 posts on Tech and Gadgets Temple.
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