– Tell us what the Center is doing?
— We are engaged in a new type of communication – quantum. These technologies allow you to better protect information. You can already observe a large number of attacks, personal data leaks and other disadvantages of existing technologies.
As we move towards faster computing with quantum computers, we are stepping into an era of better communications security. Quantum technologies could be the main engine of the next technological revolution.
In particular, NUST MISIS is working on the Quantum Internet strategic project with the support of the Priority 2030 program of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. We are researching and developing a quantum key distribution system (PPE), investigating attacks against PPE and ways to protect against them.
Speaking of specific projects, we have now completed the development of a quantum key distribution system with a quantum state preparation frequency of more than 1 GHz. Before that, the fastest system in Russia was at 312.5 MHz, here we quadrupled the frequency. This is the higher number of keys generated per second, which allows you to change encryption keys more often and further increases protection.
— You talked about ways to protect quantum key distribution systems and what are the risks?
– The main risks of already existing (non-quantum) information security systems are the growth of computing power that can be used to crack cryptoalgorithms and the emergence of a quantum computer, in which it will be possible to crack existing cryptoalgorithms. Nobody canceled the human factor – encryption keys can be compromised.
Quantum key distribution systems protect against the risks described above, but are also exposed to various attacks. Basically, attacks on the implementation of systems occur. So in terms of physics and mathematics, quantum key distribution systems are absolutely safe. But when we make “hardware” for them, it’s not ideal and the attackers’ intentions are towards these flaws.
For example, there are detector blinding attacks. In other words, we are developing single photon detectors because we transfer information using quantum states. This is a very sensitive device and if a very bright light is applied to it, the detector will start to “blind” and misbehave and an attacker can control it.
Deputy Director of NTI Quantum Communication Competence Center, NUST MISIS Igor Pavlov
From personal archive
The main attacks currently available are blinding detectors, attacks by dividing the number of photons (since two photons may emerge instead of one when quantum states are generated by attenuated laser pulses, an attacker can branch and block one of the two photons, while attacks using the “Trojan horse”) ” (this is when we direct a bright light to the emitter, the source of the single photons, and thus find out how the modulators work there and what switch will be at the output).
– And when will quantum communication systems be widely introduced?
— 7,000 km by 2024 and 15,000 km by 2030, according to the digital economy roadmap for quantum communications. So more than 100 systems will run at the same time. This can be considered as the first big step, in the future the network will develop more widely.
— What do quantum technologies give an ordinary person?
— We are all faced with the use of debit cards and fraudsters. If you bring quantum keys to the user, this will protect money transfers, personal correspondence, mail from intruders.
– When will that be?
— I think everything will start with the state and big business first, then the middle business will continue, and only then will users get technology.
Most likely, user devices will not have a specific quantum key distribution device, but there will be some ways to get these keys from outside. That is, you conditionally came to the MFC, leaned your phone on a device and got a set of keys there. And these keys are enough for you, for example, for a year. Maybe everything will be different. At the moment, we haven’t done very well yet.
– By the end of 2022, QRate experts and NUST MISiS scientists planned to develop an inexpensive mini-quantum communication system for mid-range businesses and ordinary consumers. How’s it going?
– A prototype miniature transmitter will be developed by the end of 2022. Then, probably in 2023-2024, preparation for mass production will begin. The system should reduce the cost of connecting a subscriber to a quantum network, but the first users will still be representatives of large enterprises.
– How much does it cost to launch quantum communications now?
– Now the systems are expensive (tens of millions of rubles), but the technology will improve, as with conventional computers, and in ten years, of course, it will be cheaper, but still it is difficult to decide how much. .
– Please tell us about the idea of a satellite quantum network.
– The quantum key distribution system over optical fiber has limitations in terms of operating range. There are systems that operate at fairly long distances, more than 200 km, but the key distribution speeds are very low. So, to connect, for example, Moscow with Vladivostok, you need to create a very expensive network.
But there is a second option: to use a satellite that will first distribute the key from one ground station over open space, then from the other, and then transmit it to the ground station after encrypting one key with the other.
Satellite quantum cryptography makes it possible to traverse distances faster and cheaper. That is, we launch a satellite that distributes the quantum keys in Vladivostok, then in Moscow. Also, with the help of all kinds of communication (mobile, satellite, fixed, Internet), we begin to exchange information by encrypting it with the help of these quantum keys.
The advantage of these technologies is that one satellite can connect many points in Russia. Of the cons: For all this to happen, we must have cloudless nights where we want to connect. Scattering currently only occurs at night and is not possible in cloudy weather.
Why are there such restrictions?
— We scatter the keys due to single photons, particles of light. They will simply scatter in the clouds and will not eventually reach the recipient who will not be able to receive the key. And it is impossible to solve this problem.
Who is building the satellite?
— As part of the NTI work, we built a ground-based receiver, and we also have a partner – a company that develops equipment for the satellite. Our satellites are managed by Roskosmos, Gazprom Space Systems and we are developing the equipment to be installed on the satellite.
When will this satellite be launched?
– First launches will likely be in 2023. Currently, a Chinese satellite has been operating in orbit for several years, and with the help of this satellite, in agreement with a Chinese university, we distribute quantum keys among our points for academic purposes, namely to test equipment.
Is it possible to cover the entire Earth with a quantum network in this way?
In principle it is possible, yes. There are no restrictions for this. It’s cloudy again. Technologies are developing quite rapidly, but it turns out that the Chinese sent their first satellite in 2016, and now they will only send the second. I think the next 5 years will be academic launches to calculate the budget, evaluate the possibilities, pros and cons of the technology. For example, the decision to cover the entire country with such satellites will be made after the technology has been “tested”.
Source: Gazeta
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