Preventing Eavesdropping on Regular Smartphones Without Dedicated Devices
Collaboration with a Domestic Startup Holding Core Technology
Researchers demonstrate quantum cryptography secure communication technology at the KT Research and Development Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] KT announced on the 10th that it has developed a technology capable of implementing quantum cryptographic secure communication without using dedicated terminals.
Secure communication is a communication method that prevents eavesdropping by utilizing a dedicated terminal called a secure device. When the voice data of the communication terminal is encrypted and transmitted, the receiver receives the data in its original sound. It is mainly used in security-critical fields such as national defense and national intelligence agencies. By applying the quantum cryptography technology developed by KT, secure communication is possible with just a regular smartphone, enabling private companies to more easily establish quantum cryptographic secure communication systems for enhanced security than before.
The core of the quantum cryptographic secure communication technology is the ‘quantum secure communication terminal’ that encrypts voice calls when linked to a smartphone. When a ‘quantum secure communication terminal’ is connected to the smartphones of both the receiver and the sender during secure communication, the security mode is activated and the call content is encrypted. The encrypted call content is decrypted with the synchronized ‘quantum cryptographic key’ in security mode.
KT enhanced security by combining the 'Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG)' and the 'Quantum Key Distribution system (QKD)'. QRNG generates quantum random number sequences without specific rules or algorithms. QKD generates the ‘quantum cryptographic key’ from this sequence and delivers it to the ‘quantum secure communication terminal’. Previously, encryption was done with only QRNG, but by additionally applying QKD, the level of information security was further improved. Also, decryption is impossible without the ‘quantum cryptographic key’.
Based on this technology development, private companies as well as existing secure communication users can utilize secure communication to prevent confidential information leaks. For example, confidentiality of calls between lawyers and clients during legal proceedings can be maintained. It also reduces the possibility of corporate secrets leaking in external office spaces during remote work.
KT jointly developed this quantum cryptographic secure communication technology with the domestic security startup EYL. EYL possesses core technology for developing ultra-small quantum cryptographic chips, which was selected as a key technology for the U.S. Air Force security system. KT explained that this achievement is significant as it implements quantum cryptography technology, standardized by ITU-T international standards, into a commercially viable technology and was accomplished through a consortium with small and medium-sized enterprises.
Jongsik Lee, Director of KT Infrastructure Research Center, said, “By combining the technological capabilities of EYL and KT, we developed an impenetrable quantum cryptographic secure communication service,” and added, “KT will continue research and development to contribute to establishing the domestic quantum cryptographic communication industry ecosystem and to lead innovation as a digital platform company.”
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