Toshiba has developed Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology to secure sensitive data against future threats from powerful quantum computers. QKD generates symmetric encryption keys between two locations without sending the keys between them, using the physical entanglement properties of light particles through an optical fibre. This technology is immune to attacks from quantum computers and can detect if information has been intercepted. Toshiba offers two types of QKD devices: a multiplexed system that operates on data-carrying fibre, and a long-distance system for maximum key rate and range.
Quantum Key Distribution: A Solution for Future Data Security
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology that solves the challenge of securing sensitive data. With the development of powerful quantum computers, more than traditional public key cryptography is required. Encrypted data is being harvested and stored, with quantum computers potentially breaking RSA, ECC, and other encryption methods. QKD offers a solution to this problem by using symmetric cryptography, which requires distributing secret keys between communicating users.
QKD generates symmetric encryption keys between two locations without sending the keys between the sites. This is achieved through the physical entanglement properties of exchanged light particles through an ordinary optical fibre. This technology is particularly important for finance, government agencies, defence, health sectors, and critical infrastructures.
The Security of Quantum Key Distribution
The security of QKD is based on quantum physics. It provides the ability to detect if a photon (particle of light) has been read by an eavesdropper, and by extension, detect if the information received can be trusted or dropped. This technology provides a future-proof cryptographic solution which doesn’t rely on mathematics or computing performances and provides long-term data security against today’s and tomorrow’s cyber-threats.
Toshiba’s Quantum Key Distribution Devices
Toshiba, a company with 20 years of experience in QKD technology, offers two variants of QKD devices: a multiplexed system that can be operated on data-carrying fibre, and a long-distance system for the highest possible key rate and range.
The Multiplexed QKD system allows operation on fibre which is already carrying data, thereby removing the requirement for costly dark fibre. It uses a quantum channel with a wavelength in the telecom O-Band, leaving the C-band free for customer traffic. It can operate in the conventional mode with a fibre pair carrying uni-direction traffic, or with a single fibre carrying bi-direction quantum and classical signals.
The Long Distance QKD System operates with a quantum channel in the telecom C-band for the longest possible range and highest possible secure key rate. It can tolerate a limited bandwidth of multiplexed data within the C-band.
Specifications of Toshiba’s Quantum Key Distribution Devices
The Multiplexed System has a typical key rate of 40 kb/s at 10 dB loss and can operate up to a range of 70 km using ideal SM fibre. It requires one or two fibres and has the option to multiplex customer data in C-band.
The Long Distance System has a typical key rate of 300 kb/s at 10 dB loss and can operate up to a range of 120 km using ideal SM fibre. It requires two fibres and can tolerate a limited bandwidth of multiplexed data within the C-band.
Securing sensitive data in transit through unsecured connections or at rest in a remote server is already a major challenge for CISOs and security teams, but public key cryptography is no longer enough. Today’s encrypted data is being harvested and stored awaiting the development of powerful quantum computers that will break RSA, ECC and others. If your data must be guaranteed secure in the coming age of quantum computers, you need to be using symmetric cryptography, which requires distributing secret keys between communicating users.
QKD security is based on quantum physics and provides the ability to detect if a photon (particle of light) has been read by an eavesdropper and by extension detect if the information received can be trusted or dropped. This technology provides a future-proof cryptographic solution which doesn’t rely on mathematics or computing performances and provides long-term data security against today’s and tomorrow’s cyber-threats.
With 20 years of experience in this technology and even longer experience in manufacturing high quality products, Toshiba offers two variants of QKD devices: a multiplexed system which can be operated on data-carrying fibre, and a long-distance system for the highest possible key rate and range.
Quick Summary
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a solution to secure data in the age of quantum computers, using symmetric cryptography and the physical entanglement properties of light particles to generate encryption keys. Based on quantum physics, this technology can detect if information has been intercepted, providing a future-proof cryptographic solution against current and future cyber threats.
- Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology that can secure sensitive data against potential threats from powerful quantum computers.
- QKD generates symmetric encryption keys between two locations without sending the keys between the sites, using the physical entanglement properties of light particles exchanged through an optical fiber.
- This technology is particularly important for finance, government agencies, defence, health sectors and critical infrastructures.
- QKD security is based on quantum physics and can detect if a photon (particle of light) has been read by an eavesdropper, thereby determining if the received information can be trusted.
- Toshiba, with 20 years of experience in this technology, offers two variants of QKD devices: a multiplexed system which can operate on data-carrying fibre, and a long-distance system for the highest possible key rate and range.
- The Multiplexed QKD system allows operation on fibre which is already carrying data, removing the need for costly dark fibre.
- The Long Distance QKD System operates with a quantum channel for the longest possible range and highest possible secure key rate.
