China’s Quantum Satellite Changes Cryptography

QUESS Chief Scientist Pan Jianwei from the University of Science and Technology of China.

In the age of relentless cyberattacks and global electronic surveillance, nations and citizens are looking for any means to secure their communications. China is poised to launch a project that may provide the path to an uncrackable communications system, by turning messages quantum and taking them into space.

The new Quantum Space Satellite (QUESS) program is no mere science experiment. China is already becoming a world leader in quantum communications technology; a satellite that delivers quantum communications will be a cornerstone for translating cutting-edge research into a strategic asset for Chinese power worldwide.

Cryptography operates through the use of an encryption key (such as a numbers pad), which, when applied to an encryption algorithm, can be used to decrypt or encrypt a message. Quantum entanglement is the act of fusing two or more particles into complementary “quantum states.” In such states, no particle can be independently described, instead the particles exist in a hazy shared quantum state that “collapses” when observed.

Quantum encryption thus takes advantage of this feature, using it to detect would-be eavesdroppers, whose presence causes quantum states to collapse and reveal their spying to legitimate parties. Additionally, the complexity of quantum mechanics makes it virtually impossible to reverse engineer the quantum key generated through quantum entanglement.

Quantum keys are thus theoretically impossible to crack by even quantum computing -- a theoretical form of supercomputing that promises to defeat traditional forms of encryption. (It is important to note, however, that all is not perfectly secure. Quantum secured communications, like other forms of encryption, are vulnerable to denial of service, physically tampering of the quantum communications device, human failures in operational security and impersonation of sender).

Quantum keys are theoretically impossible to crack.

The Quantum Space Satellite, aka Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS), will seek to turn this theory into reality. It will be launched in July 2016. Chief scientist Pan Jianwei remarks that QUESS will complete China's growing quantum communications network, which includes a 2,000-kilometer-long network between Beijing and Shanghai.

QUESS's function is to test the phenomena of quantum entanglement. Operated by the China Academy of Sciences, this 500kg satellite contains a quantum key communicator, quantum entanglement emitter, entanglement source, processing unit, and a laser communicator. QUESS will relay transmissions between two ground stations (one in China, and the other in Europe) transmitting quantum keys.

Pan remarked that the distances involved (the QUESS orbits at an altitude of 1,000km) is ideal for testing quantum teleportation of photons. Additionally, the Austrian Academy of Sciences will provide the optical receivers for the European ground stations.

In addition to its own efforts, Chinese scientists are teaming up with their European counterparts on other quantum technologies such as photon teleportation, transmission error reduction and random number generators. If QUESS is successful, China will build an Asian-European quantum key distribution network by 2020, to be followed by a global quantum communications network in 2030.

QUESS is one of the National Space Science Center's "Strategic Priority Programs," which include scientific projects that look at black holes, dark matter, and cosmic background radiation. The program marks a significant shift in Chinese space programs, which have largely focused on human and robotic space exploration rather than space science. But there is no doubt of its security intent. Pan noted that the unbreakable security of quantum cryptography would be vital to any Chinese regional warfighting capabilities.

QUESS fits into a broader series of experimental quantum encryption programs which may be intended to address concerns over China's information security, particularly in the post Snowden era. Government, military, and financial networks are juicy targets for espionage, and quantum encryption promises to provide a level of potentially unbreakable encryption for these systems, as well as a sure-fire method to detect any attempts at intrusion.

Popsci: 

« Is The Cybersecurity Market Facing A Downturn?
Fighting The Invisible War In CyberSpace »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: What Is A Next-Generation Firewall (and why does it matter)?

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: What Is A Next-Generation Firewall (and why does it matter)?

Watch this webinar to hear security experts from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and SANS break down the myths and realities of what an NGFW is, how to use one, and what it can do for your security posture.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

Radiant Logic

Radiant Logic

Radiant Logic is a market-leading provider of federated identity solutions based on virtualization, and delivers simple, logical, and standards-based access to all identities within an organization.

Texplained

Texplained

Texplained specializes in security audits of microchips to identify vulnerabilities and protect against invasive cyber attacks.

Swiss Re

Swiss Re

Swiss Re Group is a leading wholesale provider of reinsurance, insurance and other insurance-based forms of risk transfer including cyber risk.

BitRaser

BitRaser

BitRaser serves your needs for a managed & certified data erasure solution that can support internal & external corporate audit requirements with traceable reporting.

NetFort

NetFort

NetFort provides software products to monitor activity on virtual and physical networks.

Torsion Information Security

Torsion Information Security

Torsion is an innovative information security and compliance engine, which runs either in the cloud or your data centre.

Bechtel

Bechtel

Bechtel’s Industrial Control Systems Cyber Security Laboratory focuses on protecting large-scale industrial and infrastructure systems that support critical infrastructure.

NT Cyfence

NT Cyfence

CAT Cyfence is the IT Security services business unit of CAT Telecoms.

Montreal International

Montreal International

You’re an entrepreneur planning to launch a company in an innovative sector such as AI, cybersecurity, 'deeptech' or fintech? You’ve found the right place!

Aligned Technology Solutions (ATS)

Aligned Technology Solutions (ATS)

ATS manage, monitor, and maintain everything from your network and servers to your workstations and mobile devices, and we do it proactively to eliminate downtime and keep hackers at bay.

CyNam

CyNam

CyNam is a platform for enabling the growth and development of people and organisations within Cheltenham’s flourishing cyber technology ecosystem.

Drata

Drata

Drata is a security and compliance automation platform that continuously monitors and collects evidence of a company's security controls, while streamlining workflows to ensure audit-readiness.

Timus Networks

Timus Networks

Timus Networks enables today's work from anywhere organizations to secure their networks very easily and cost effectively.

Curatrix Technologies

Curatrix Technologies

Curatrix Technologies is a Managed IT Service provider based in Hampshire, UK, providing high quality and reliable Managed IT Services since 2015.

CyberAI Group

CyberAI Group

CyberAI's mission is to pioneer the evolution of the cybersecurity landscape globally, by strategically acquiring and elevating IT consulting firms into leaders of cybersecurity innovation.

USX Cyber

USX Cyber

USX Cyber was founded on the idea that small and medium businesses deserve and require the same level and sophistication of cyber protection as large enterprises.