Welcome to the latest edition of the Quantum Era Security Times, brought to you by ID Quantique, the world leader in quantum-safe cryptography solutions.

This month we begin with the news that SK Telekom plans to secure its new 5G communications network with quantum cryptography when it launches the service in December 2018.

The Quantum Technologies Group at the University of Geneva, ID Quantique and Corning Incorporated has extended the maximum range of quantum key distribution (QKD) over optical fibre to a landmark 421 km.

Next, we would like to remind you that time is running out to benefit from the early-bird discount for Winter School 2019. Make sure to book your tickets soon to join us in January and benefit from a 20% discount.

In other news, we are pleased to announce that we have been recognised as a SINET 16 Innovator for our work in securing long-lived ‘Life Critical’ IoT devices using quantum random number generation.

Finally, we review IBM security architect Christiane Peters’ recent talk, in which she advises organisations to act quickly in carrying out post-quantum risk assessments and invest in post-quantum data protection.

Best regards,

Kelly Richdale

SK Telecom plans to differentiate its 5G network based on AI, strong security and high speed

SK Telecom announced its plan to launch its 5G services on December 1, 2018. Beginning in central Seoul, it will expand its 5G service coverage to 85 cities nationwide by September 2019.

To provide watertight security for its 5G network, SK Telecom will first apply quantum cryptography communication technology to the Seoul-Ansan section of its 5G network and plans to apply the technology to its customer authentication server in the first half of next year.

Read more

Quantum Key Distribution achieved over record 421 km

A collaboration between the University of Geneva, ID Quantique and Corning Incorporated has yielded a successful test of Quantum Key Distribution over a new record of 421 km.

Since its first experimental demonstration over 32 cm on an optical table, researchers have been pushing the boundaries of QKD over optical fibre. In a recent experiment, Alberto Boaron et al – backed by The Quantum Technologies Group at the University of Geneva, ID Quantique and Corning Incorporated – have extended the technology’s maximum range to 421 km.

Read more

Winter School 2019: Don’t miss out on early-bird discount

Join us in Les Diablerets from 19-25 January for a week of learning from leading quantum cybersecurity experts and benefit from a 20% early booking discount.

The theme for 2019’s school is ‘Quantum Cybersecurity in the Real World’ and will feature content from distinguished speakers including Gilles Brassard, Vadim Makarov, Michele Mosca and many others. You can find out more about the event in our preliminary program.

Read more

ID Quantique named SINET 16 Innovator

SINET 16, hosted in Washington D.C. in November, saw us being recognised as an ‘Innovator’ for our work in securing long-lived ‘Life Critical’ IoT devices using quantum random number generation.

Each year, SINET evaluates the technologies and products of hundreds of cybersecurity organisations from across the globe before selecting the 16 most innovative to present their solutions. We are proud to be recognised for our continuing efforts to secure IoT devices against the threats posed in today’s landscape and, more importantly, tomorrow’s post-quantum environment.

Read more

IBM Security Architect Advises Post-Quantum Data Protection

Christiane Peters warns that organisations must act quickly in carrying out post-quantum risk assessments and invest in post-quantum data protection at the right time.

Speaking at the EEMA ISSE 2018 cyber security conference in Brussels, Peters – a prominent security architect at IBM – has warned these organisations that they should not delay carrying out a post-quantum risk assessment to establish how secure they are against quantum attack.

Read more