Our sensitive data is often encrypted and sent over the internet using digital "keys" to decode the information. Data and keys are represented in classical bits. Hackers can read and copy this vulnerable information without leaving a trace. However, the laws of quantum physics allow us to protect data in new ways.
If we can successfully exchange data between quantum computers while maintaining the quantum state, we can perform complex quantum calculations in parallel. However, the current internet is too noisy to maintain quantum states, so specialized quantum networks are required. Quantum communication involves sending qubits that represent messages over a quantum network. A major subfield of this is quantum encryption.
The threat posed by cyberattacks is forcing governments, militaries, and businesses to explore more secure ways of transmitting information.
The beauty of quantum cybersecurity is that hacker tampering collapses the quantum state of entanglement, revealing any eavesdropping on information transfers. Besides potentially securing online data, quantum technology can break modern encryption. Therefore, the technology needs to continue evolving to avert future danger.
In response to threats, governments and companies are shifting to new encryption techniques based on algorithms that are just as hard for quantum computers as they are for classical ones.
For example, companies are now transmitting highly sensitive data using a process called quantum key distribution (QKD). As this technology and the implementation of quantum in cybersecurity and communications are further developed, networks will become ultra-secure. And the demand will grow.
