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Why Quantum Key Distribution Matters for Enterprise Security

Why Quantum Key Distribution Matters for Enterprise Security

The Future Of Enterprise Security Is Quantum

Effective key distribution encryption is crucial for a company’s data security, adding an essential layer of protection during the transmission of confidential data. However, the classic key distribution approach offers some challenges that only quantum key distribution can address.

RSA is one good example of the classic approach. Its distribution of symmetric keys relies on the strength of mathematical calculations. And this is where the challenge lies. With the rapid increase of computation power today, symmetric key algorithms are easier to crack.

Quantum computers can perform calculations at extremely high speed. What used to take 40 quadrillion years to crack is now down to just 20 years.

The best method to strengthen the key distribution is using the same quantum technology that can crack the current encryption methods.

 

What Is Quantum Key Distribution

Quantum key distribution (QKD) seeks to do away with complex mathematical calculations and use properties found in quantum physics to exchange cryptographic keys. It solves the common challenges besetting the conventional key distribution approach, such as:

  • Weak random number generators
  • Rapid developments in computing power
  • Persistent improvement of new strategies to attack public-key ciphers

 

Quantum computing will make today’s public key encryption out of date and easy to crack. In just a short matter of time, a snoop will be able to shorten the 20-year decryption into several days only.

On the other hand, QKD doesn’t rely on the science of numbers to protect confidential data.

Instead, it makes use of the fundamental laws of nature. With almost eight billion humans today, each has a unique fingerprint – this is what QKD is trying to emulate.

In application, the no-cloning theorem prevents an attacker from copying network traffic and the data in transit.

Furthermore, QKD is invulnerable to future improvements in processing power. It will naturally change and adjust the keys if an attacker tries to eavesdrop.

 

QKD Implementation

QKD is progressing fast, making it a viable and better enterprise security solution for most businesses today. Recent improvements in QKD implementation are turning what most people considered fact in its early days into myths.

The following are some of the usual and most common misconceptions surrounding QKD and the truth debunking each myth:

 

Myth #1: QKD Has A Short Or Limited Range

It was a significant concern in the early developments of QKD. However, recent developments broke are breaking the latest limitations regularly, and the range is expanding. Keys can now traverse longer distances without fear of photon loss using phase post-compensation and laser injection techniques.

 

Myth #2: QKD Serves Only As A Partial Solution

Some people believe that QKD is vulnerable to “man in the middle” attacks because the keys cannot authenticate from their source. However, QKD has the capability of securing communication seamlessly because its systems can authenticate at both ends.

 

Myth #3: QKD Infrastructure Is Tedious To Set Up

QKD needs fiber-optic cables when sending keys between two endpoints. But with more than 550,000 miles of fiber optic cable spanning the world today, it is more than enough to support QKD implementation – significantly cutting down the time and costs involved.

In addition, telecom companies have been laying down cables known as “dark fibers” to provide more capacity for future demands.

 

Myth #4: QKD Has No Real-World Application

The most significant source of this myth came from misfires in practical application several decades ago – when it was at its early stages of implementation.

Today, there is rapid advancement in QKD development, both physically and algorithmically. As a result, various enterprises are finding numerous applications for QKD, and we expect dozens more as time goes by.

 

The Need For A Secure Low-Cost Quantum Cryptography Solution

Enterprises are always at risk of cyberattacks. In 2020, a total of 1,001 data breaches occurred, exposing 155.8 million records. For the enterprise companies that suffered these attacks, apart from operational disruption and loss in revenue, reputational damages could linger for years.

QKD, or quantum cryptography, offers a reliable solution to keep these attackers at bay. If you had implemented this solution years ago, you’d have invested a lot and faced the hardware restrictions back then. Fortunately, it is quite the opposite these days. No longer can unauthorized parties with malicious intent eavesdrop on the network or perform any “tap now and decrypt later” approaches.

Companies like QuantLR employ the principles of quantum physics to offer the world’s first and only secure, low-cost quantum cryptography solution to enterprises.

Businesses that leverage the power of quantum cryptography gain a significant security advantage with numerous benefits:

  • Disable eavesdropping since the system detects any intrusion and adjusts accordingly
  • Eliminate “man-in-the-middle” attacks by preventing unauthorized copying or cloning of data
  • Implementation does not add any latency to the network – making it very efficient

 

Being future-proof is another advantage of implementing quantum cryptography in your business. As quantum computing becomes ubiquitous, your enterprise cyber security system will no longer be vulnerable. Even though quantum computers can crack mathematical barriers, you won’t be at risk since you no longer use traditional out-of-date cryptographic solutions to encrypt your precious data.

 

Secure Your Enterprise With Quantum Key Distribution

QKD is no longer a technological hype but a reality you need to adapt to and accept. It offers a reliable security solution that matches the quantum computing world that we are approaching – at a rapid pace.

At the heart of its progress is an opportunity for enterprises to advance with significantly lesser risk on their security.