KT made an announcement on March 10 that it has developed a technology that can implement quantum cryptographic secure communication without using a dedicated terminal.
Secure communication is a communication method that prevents eavesdropping by using secure instruments, which are dedicated terminals. When the voice data of the communication terminal is encrypted and sent, the receiver receives the data in the original sound. It is mainly used in the defense sector and national intelligence agencies where security is a key.
If quantum cryptography technology developed by KT is applied, it is possible to communicate through ordinary smartphones alone. Therefore, even private companies can easily establish quantum cryptographic secure communication systems to strengthen security.
The core of this quantum cryptographic secure communication technology is 'Quantum Secure Communication Terminal', which encrypts voice calls when linked to smartphones.
When secure communication is connected to the recipient and the caller's smartphone, the security mode is activated and the call contents are encrypted. Encrypted call contents are decoded with 'quantum encryption key' synchronized in secure mode.
KT co-developed this quantum cryptographic secure communication technology with South Korean security startup EYL. EYL has a technology that is selected as a key technology for U.S. Air Force's security system and has a source technology for developing ultra-small quantum cryptography chips.
"We have developed a secure quantum cryptographic communication service by combining our technology with EYL," said Lee Jong-sik, director of KT's infrastructure research institute. "KT will continue research and development to contribute to establishing an ecosystem for quantum cryptography.”
