Physicists at Toshiba have used quantum cryptography to transmit voice and video data over a secure optical-fibre link. The demonstration is significant because it shows that the single-photon encryption technology is compatible with real Internet Protocol (IP) traffic and is also robust enough for deployment on commercial optical-fibre networks. The system was shown to financial institutions at the Department of Trade and Industry in London by Andrew Shields and colleagues from Toshiba Research Europe at the end of April.
This presentation focuses on differences between quantum computing and quantum cryptography. Both are discussed related to classical computer systems in terms of vulnerability. Research concerning quantum cryptography is analyzed in terms of work done by the University of Cambridge in partnership with a division of Toshiba, and also attacks demonstrated by Swedish researchers against QKD of energy-time entangled systems. Quantum computing is covered in terms of classical cryptography related to weaknesses presented by Shor's algorithm. Previous classical vulnerabilities also discussed were conducted by Israeli researchers as a side-channel attack using parabolic curve microphones, which has since been patched.