The security of communication channels – one of the main problems of information security. Today the victims of hackers in addition to large companies, facilities, strategic infrastructures and financial institutions become thousands of “ordinary” computer users. All of this suggests that modern encryption algorithms are far from perfect.
The emergence of systems of quantum cryptography – an obvious breakthrough in this direction. New concept of transmission of single photon signals was developed by the staff of the St. Petersburg ITMO University, together with colleagues from Scotland. The technology allows transmitting data at distances of over 250 kilometers. Scientists have demonstrated a working device based on it.
Whatever challenging conventional encryption algorithms, modern powerful computers to “crack” them sooner or later, however, against the fundamental laws of quantum physics and they are absolutely powerless. The carriers in the quantum channel single photons, becoming “prey” intruders instantly “lose their face”, what immediately becomes known to the users of the channel.
Now scientists have based prototypes to create a full quantum cryptographic system with all its attributes. Only then will it be possible its implementation in public and commercial structures.
