Probably Random

Quantum Cryptography

As this is Probably Random I should really say something about the latest break throughs in Quantum Cryptography.

As I understand it, it’s more an unreadable communications channel than an encrypted one.  Basically there is no way of listening to the channel with out the people at either end knowing.  This then allows you to pass encryption keys securely between sites… although with strong public key encryption available you have to ask why?

1. Strong public key encryption isn’t as strong as we thought
2. They want to use symmetric encryption which is faster
3. Why not, we’re scientists, inventing stuff is what we do, none of you knew you wanted microwave ovens until we gave them to you.
4. It’s actually an advertising tie in with James Bond – Quantum of Solace

Read more on Quantum Cryptography at:
The BBC
Wired – Bruce Schneier

Remember that this isn’t really related to Quantum computing, although that too is coming on nicely with more accurate reading of qubits and better noise filters.