ID Quantique will contribute to South Korea’s cybersecurity efforts

As part of the Korean Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network project, Geneva-based ID Quantique’s technology will help secure the communication network of 48 government organizations countrywide.

ID Quantique (IDQ) has established itself as a leader in quantum-safe crypto, scientific instrumentation and random number generators. By using state-of-the-art algorithms and highly secure quantum key generation and quantum key distribution (quantum cryptography), IDQ ensures that solutions are “quantum-safe” for the long-term protection of sensitive data into and beyond the quantum era, when quantum computers will render most of today’s conventional encryption algorithms vulnerable. Its products are used by government, enterprise and academic customers in more than 60 countries and on every continent.

Most recently, IDQ together with SK Broadband, a Seoul-based telecommunications company and a wholly owned subsidiary of SK Telecom completed the first phase of the Korean QKD network project, which includes 800 km, the QKD network infrastructure secures the communication network of 48 government organizations across the country. This marks the largest quantum cryptography network outside China.

SK Broadband and IDQ installed the most advanced key management, configuration, and monitoring solution to handle the complex routing, state-of-the-art QKD appliances to ensure smooth point-to-point connection, and the agility to adapt to specific local regulations.

Swiss crypto technologies to secure the most critical infomation

The Korean government was looking for a solution to protect sensitive information and communications between its most critical government agencies, including the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Education and local governments.

It planned to integrate each department’s separate networks into one single convergence network for their operational efficiency, which required the usage of quantum technologies, providing enhanced security for the long-term future.

After contributing to the launch of the first quantum consumer smartphone, this new support provided by Geneva-based ID Quantique is contributing to a faster and wider adoption of quantum-based cybersecurity. Standards play a central role in building trust, as the agreement of industry standards is a sign of the maturity of a technology and its supporting ecosystem.