Behind the First Secure Quantum Crypto Network

schliz writes "Researchers behind the world's largest quantum encrypted network said the technology could secure business networks inside six years. The prototype Quantum Key Distribution network was built by the Secure Communication Based On Quantum Cryptography (SECOQC) group last year. It is described in a journal paper published by the Institute of Physics this week, which includes details on how it is based on the trusted-repeater paradigm."

Not at those speeds

[Architect_sasyr]

If they're getting 1kbps over 25km, I find it hard to believe that they will get it up to metropolitan speeds necessary in a few years. They've got decent funding and obviously have invested a fair bit of money into this, but for those speeds you might as well add tampering sensors to some tempest-rated conduit and run fiber. If they make significant speed improvements within 6 years, then I will be proven wrong, but I've seen nothing in the papers to suggest they can (I've been following this idea for a couple of years now).

Re:Excuse me, but...

[reashlin]

Now, if suddenly everybody had a quantum computer that could break RSA in polytime, there might be a point to this, but they don't, so there isn't - not that I can see.

If suddenly is in say 10 years time. Then doing this research that will be much more feasible in 6 years time seems pretty smart to me. Just because the technology isnt here now doesn't mean it isnt worth preparing for its arrival

Re:Not at those speeds

[gweihir]

There is nothing excellent about it. Perhaps the mort important weakness is that you cannot really route traffic, but need point-to-point links. If you look at what made the Internet great, you can see that this is a show-stopper. In addition the claimed security is wishful thinking. All pysical theories have proven inaccurate so far. This could fall over with one PhD student having a bright idea.