"Tiny, Cheap Solution for Quantum-Secure Encryption"

Researchers at the Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) propose an inexpensive, more convenient, and scalable security system that is resistant to quantum attacks. Other potential solutions for securing data against quantum attacks have been found to be significantly computationally expensive or require dedicated optical fibers or satellite links through lasers. The new protocol for Symmetric Key Distribution, which the team refers to as SPoTKD, does not need lasers, satellites, or miles of new cable as it only relies on tiny microchips embedded with tiny clocks that function without batteries. According to the researchers, the clocks are electrons that transport themselves between two locations on the chip through the use of quantum tunneling. The time refers to the electrons' motions. When a chip is created, its initial state is recorded on a computer server. When someone creates a secure channel, they make a note of the time on a subset of the clocks and send that information to the server, which can then use its knowledge about the initial state to determine what time the clocks read at the time they were sent. The server alerts the person of what the times were and, if they are correct, a secure channel of communication has been opened. The quantum nature of the electron transportation provides additional layers of security. The clock collapses when they are measured, and neither a spy nor the recipient can access the information. This article continues to discuss the new quantum attack-resistant security system proposed by researchers at WUSTL. 

WUSTL reports "Tiny, Cheap Solution for Quantum-Secure Encryption"