China’s quantum* crypto tech may be unhackable, but it’s hardly a secret

China’s quantum* crypto tech may be unhackable, but it's hardly a secret

September 16, 2024 at 04:33AM

China is making significant strides in quantum networking leadership and infrastructure using quantum key distribution (QKD). While this seems secure, it doubles bandwidth and has minimal practical applications due to its inefficiency and reliance on short distances. In contrast, public key cryptography is faster, more practical, and immune to quantum attacks, making QKD impractical in reality.

After reviewing the meeting notes, it appears that the discussion focused on the concerns regarding China’s advancements in quantum key distribution (QKD) and its potential impact on global cybersecurity. The notes went on to explain in detail the limitations and challenges associated with QKD, emphasizing that it may not be as effective as initially believed.

The discussion highlighted the inefficiency of QKD in practical applications, including its inability to scale for national infrastructure and its significantly low key bit rates over long-distance communication. It was also mentioned that traditional public key cryptography may provide more practical and secure solutions.

Furthermore, the meeting notes expressed skepticism about the practicality of QKD and suggested that it may serve better as a theoretical concept rather than a viable technology for widespread implementation. The notes also touched upon the political and strategic implications of China’s investment in QKD technology.

Overall, the meeting notes reflected a critical assessment of QKD and its practicality in the current cybersecurity landscape, emphasizing the need for a more realistic approach to data encryption and security.

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