Security through Quantum Mechanics
One of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics is the Observer Effect.
All small particles are in a superposition of many quantum states, but, once measured, "one knows its current state ." Most believe this is due to wave function collapse, but there are other interpretations.
It is as though the full details of the quantum information is hidden within a box. You can measure one (and only one) property, but you can never "peek inside" and gain complete information.
This quirk of quantum physics is the foundation for the security inherent in quantum communications, including the secure distribution of encryption keys known as quantum key distribution (QKD).
It also lends itself well for secure time distribution, a critical resource for position, navigation and timing (PNT), networks, communications, and power grids.
Time distribution today relies on easily hackable satellite RF signals and network time protocols (NTP).
Indeed, security for timing doesn't exist the same way it does for encryption keys.
But as the recent news articles below highlight, that needs to change.
Last Week's Theme: The Future is Optical
- Working hard on proposals! New bids have been submitted working primarily with larger partners, with more in development.
- Participated in the APSCC Lunar Space Race and optical communications panel.
- A recap of our recent presentations:
- “Quantum Optical Communications as a Replacement for GPS” for Space Foundation
- “Quantum Time Transfer” for Open Compute Project
- “Network Security Post Quantum” for QED-C Quantum Marketplace
- "What is the Quantum Internet? And why should you care?" for the Gig City Goes Quantum event
- "Quantum GPS" fireside chat for the Art of Tech
- Preparing for presentation at the International Timing and Sync Forum titled "Quantum Time Transfer." Stay tuned for a recording of the presentation!
- The conflict between Israel and Hamas has, not surprisingly, seen an increase in GPS jamming in the region. This has led to flight disruptions in Israel, according to the Israel Airports Authority.
- GPS spoofing around the middle east has led to aircraft "being targeted with fake GPS signals, quickly leading to complete loss of navigational capability," with aircraft "almost entering Iranian airspace without clearance."
- Russian GPS jamming around Ukraine has hindered ships navigating in the Black Sea, leading a Romanian government official to express concern that "Romania’s infrastructure or commercial ships in (Romania’s) territorial waters could be hit by mistake.”
- The UK announced a "Framework for Greater Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Resilience" recently, noting that PNT services "are vital for the UK economy, Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sectors and wider society."
- These disruptions and other vulnerability concerns have led the Wall Street Journal to claim that "America’s ‘Gold Standard’ GPS Risks Falling Behind Rival Systems" including the Chinese BeiDou system that "blankets the planet with 46 operational satellites, outnumbering the 31 satellites that the U.S. says serve GPS."
If Alice wants to share a secret with Bob, she can put the information in a box and send to Bob.
Eve, the eavesdropper, wants to know what is in the box.
In normal communications, Eve simply looks inside. The information is compromised, and Alice and Bob are none the wiser.
But now Alice has a box containing a particle in a superposition of quantum states. While you can't know all of the quantum details of this particle, you can extract information following these fundamental rules:
- You can measure one, and only one, quantum property. This is analogous to asking a question: For example, you can ask about color ("are you black or white?") or you can ask about hardness ("are you hard or soft?"), but you can't ask about both ("are you white and soft?")
- The outcome is repeatable - if you measure the same property. For example, if you ask about color a thousand times in a row, you will get the same answer - black or white.
- However, the outcome is not repeatable - if you don't measure same property. For example, if you find out the color is white, but then ask about hardness, the next time you ask for the color it could be white or black.
These fundamental rules, proven out in many experiments, is described in this entertaining presentation based on the book "Quantum Mechanics and Experience."
So in this case Eve still has the ability to intercept the box meant for Bob. Eve can only ask it one question, but won’t know what question to ask. If the wrong question is asked, then the outcome changes for Bob.
We can extend this extremely simple example to QKD (apologies to all quantum physicists!): Alice and Bob exchange many boxes, each one potentially representing one of a string of bits that make up a shared encryption key.
While this sounds like a convoluted process, it has an important result that doesn't exist in any other type of communications - the ability to detect Eve by looking at the results from a sample of the boxes.
To learn more, please email us or schedule a meeting here.