The Future of Encryption, Improved Chip Performance, and the Winds of Change

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Quantum Encryption Technology

Public key infrastructure, or PKI, is used to encrypt most communications today. Experts believe PKI, developed in the 1980’s, is like to break within this decade by quantum computer algorithms.

Symmetric encryption is replacing PKI. It is a technology known to be more secure than PKI, and able to withstand quantum attach. There hasn’t been a secure way to distribute symmetric encryption keys at scale, until now. A company called Arqit, has developed a way with their QuantumCloud product. Their technology secures the communications links of any networked device against current and future forms of hacking.

Their software creates a simple and fast way to distribute unlimited numbers of symmetric keys. Currently, their source keys originate in data centers. However, the company plans to launch two quantum satellites in 2023 to assume the symmetric key distribution role. The satellites will use Arqit’s quantum protocol, solving all the known problems associated with satellite quantum key distribution.

The company believes their solution will transform cybersecurity via an elegant migration from existing encryption technology, while also protecting against…