The security of communication channels is one of the main problems of information security. Today the victims of hackers in addition to large companies, facilities, strategic infrastructure and financial institutions have thousands of “ordinary” computer users. All this suggests that the modern encryption algorithms is not perfect.
The emergence of systems of quantum cryptography – an absolute breakthrough in this direction. A new concept for the transmission of single photon signals was developed by experts from Saint-Petersburg University ITMO together with colleagues from Scotland. The technology allows to transmit information over a distance of more than 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 of information in a quantum channel – single photons, becoming “prey” intruders instantly “lose their face”, what immediately becomes known to the users of the channel.
Now scientists have on the basis of 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.
