Rivada Networks has joined with 17 other members of the Quantum Alliance Initiative to submit the first global Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) recommendations to the International Telecommunications Union—Telecommunication Standardization Section (ITU-T) meeting in Geneva.
Quantum computing poses unique challenges to network security and cryptography. Rivada is hopeful that these recommendations will help lay the foundations for the quantum-secure wireless networks of the future.
The QAI standards were developed by a consortium of 18 companies, universities and entities from eight countries during a Hudson Institute conference in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 6-7, 2018.
The signatories include representatives from Hudson Institute, Armafex Partners LLC, Bra-Ket Science, BrightApps LLC, Cambridge Quantum Computing, Ciena, Florida Atlantic University, Harris Corporation, IDQuantique, Institute for National Defense & Security Research, MagiQ Technologies, Qubitekk, QuantumXchange, Quintessence Labs, Rivada Networks, SK Telecom, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, and the University of Warsaw.
The accompanying letter reads in part: “In full awareness of the urgency to act, we the undersigned…call on the security community to establish recommendations appropriate to quantum entropy sources and Quantum Key Distribution, which these standards are designed to promote.”
QAI’s recommendations are designed for initial adoption while further standardization of the quantum industry is advanced by the major international standards bodies.
Established in 2018, the Quantum Alliance Initiative at Hudson Institute develops models for expanding public-private partnerships in quantum technology and increased cybersecurity collaboration between the U.S. and its allies.
“This is an important step in advancing quantum computing into the main stream,” Clint Smith, Chief Scientist at Rivada Networks, said. “Existing quantum computing needs encryption methods which are in compliance with existing specifications,” he continued. “This recommendation would enable quantum computing to be allowed for existing security work.” The QAI’s recommendations will be presented to the ITU-T’s Study Group 17, which coordinates security-related work across all of the ITU-T.
“5G networks will connect billions of devices in the coming years,” said Rivada CEO Declan Ganley. “Ubiquitous connectivity is a huge economic opportunity, but it also creates unprecedented security challenges for network designers and builders. That’s why the Quantum Alliance Initiative’s work is so important to securing the networks of the future.”
