COLUMBUS, OH --(Marketwired - November 19, 2014) - Battelle and ID Quantique have spearheaded the creation of an industry alliance -- the Quantum-Safe Security Working Group (QSSWG) -- in order to counter the growing threat that quantum computers pose to conventional encryption and key exchange technologies.
The goal of the QSS working group is the education, adoption, use and widespread application of quantum-safe cryptography, which includes both quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography, to protect governments, enterprises and network infrastructure against attacks from super computers and, ultimately, quantum computers. QuantumCTek has also joined the co-founders to launch the QSSWG. Other companies will soon be joining the QSSWG, including MagiQ and, scheduled for 2015, SK Telecom.
The Quantum-Safe Security working group will be created on the platform of the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), and its formation will be announced during CSA's EMEA Congress in Rome. The CSA is an international not-for-profit organization with a mission to promote the use of best practices for providing security assurance and education in regards to cloud computing to help secure all other forms of computing.
"Forming the QSS working group will allow us to better understand how these technologies can be utilized within the networking community," said Don Hayford, Senior Research Leader in charge of Battelle's QKD program. "Having a single group that encompasses both the hardware-based and software-based key exchange methods will be a great benefit to the security industry overall."
This QSS working group was formed to enhance understanding of the threats which quantum computers will pose to today's encryption and key exchange methods, and to create a common industry platform to promote quantum-safe cryptography within the framework of existing security standards and requirements. When quantum computers that are capable of solving difficult mathematical problems like factoring large numbers become available in the next decade, data encrypted using existing public key encryption technologies will become vulnerable-so encrypted data that is copied and stored now will be easily unlocked by quantum computers in the future. And, of course, data that is exchanged in the future will also be subject to the same vulnerabilities.
"It's the ideal moment to join this working group," said Gregoire Ribordy, founder and CEO of ID Quantique. "With ETSI's recent publication of the Quantum Safe Whitepaper, we are perfectly timed to set the agenda for the future of Quantum Safe Security through the use of quantum physics solutions as well as new families of cryptographic algorithms."
"It's a great idea to launch QSSWG," said Yong Zhao, CEO of QuantumCTek. "The working group will gather the intelligence and efforts to accelerate the forming of quantum security industry, and to reinforce the trust foundation of information era."
The QSS working group seeks to:
- Provide objective information, education and advice relating to these issues
- Provide thought leadership for the field of quantum‐safe encryption and key management
- Become a trusted advisor to policy makers, analysts, consultants, industry leaders & internal security or risk officers on issues relating to securing data in the long‐term
- Bridge the gap between mathematicians and physicists, and bring quantum cryptography solutions into a traditional security framework
- Influence and/or set standards and certification procedures to promote adoption and implementation of quantum‐safe technologies
"The creation of the quantum-safe security group is in line with growing industry awareness and recognition of the need for long-term solutions to today's crypto challenges," said Ribordy.
About Battelle Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org .
About ID Quantique ID Quantique (IDQ) is the world leader in quantum-safe crypto solutions designed to protect data for the long-term future. The company provides quantum-safe network encryption, secure quantum key generation and quantum key distribution solutions and services to the financial industry, enterprises and government organizations globally.
IDQ also commercializes a quantum random number generator, which is the reference in the gaming and lottery industries.
Additionally, IDQ is a leading provider of optical instrumentation products; most notably photon counters and related electronics. The company's innovative photonic solutions are used in both commercial and research applications.
About QuantumCTek QuantumCTek (Quantum Communication Technology Co., Ltd., Anhui) is the first and biggest provider of multi-protocol network security products and services based on quantum technology in China. QuantumCTek produce state-of-the-art quantum communication systems and series of innovative opt-electronic units with the commercial applications for the financial industry, institutions and other enterprises, as well as the research applications for the scientific societies.
QuantumCTek is continually transferring cutting-edge scientific and technical achievements into mature commercial products, making great efforts to promote wide-range applications of quantum technology and forming quantum industry. For more information, visit www.quantum-info.com .
Media Contacts For more information contact Katy Delaney (614) 424-7208 delaneyk@battelle.org T.R. Massey (614) 424-5544 masseytr@battelle.org For more information on ID Quantique, contact Kelly Richdale +41 22 301 8371 kelly.richdale@idquantique.com
