Quantum crypto: Star trek or real science?
Bruce Potter · Network Security · 2005
Cryptography is a cornerstone of network security. Cryptography helps computers authenticate users across hostile networks and keeps data confidential even if the data is captured by attackers. Modern wireless networks are made safe for enterprise users by utilizing sophisticated encryption mechanisms such as digital certificates and AES. However, our current cryptographic capabilities are always under attack and are likely to be superseded. Quantum cryptography promises to take crypto safely out of the reaches of the march of ever increasing computing power, which is making the deciphering of algorithms more feasible. Quantum crypto doesn't rely on difficult mathematics, like traditional cryptography. Instead, it relies on the properties of light. It is based on the Heisenburg Uncertainty Principle, which states that you can't observe something without disturbing it. However, so far using a One Time Pad (OTP) is the only provably secure way to encrypt data.