Toshiba launches a scalable quantum-safe networking platform

[Wardlow86]

Toshiba has launched a new platform designed to make quantum safe networks easier to roll out. Light Reading's Tereza Krasova reports that the Quantum Safe Networking platform is aimed at telecoms operators, data centres, businesses and the public sector

The platform combines three technologies: post quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution and quantum random number generation. Customers can choose a setup using only post quantum algorithms, only QKD, or a hybrid of the two. That flexibility matters, because different organisations have very different needs and budgets

Andrew Shields, head of Toshiba's Quantum Technology Division, says optical switching is the key change. Instead of needing hardware at both ends of every fibre, one box in a telephone exchange could serve 100 or even 1,000 customers. That could make QKD far more affordable

The platform also includes integrated transceivers and a multiplexer that lets quantum signals share fibre with live data traffic. A single QKD link is still limited to about 150 kilometres. Toshiba plans to extend its existing network with Orange, and Technology Magazine names AWS, BT and PwC as partners

Toshiba's Hiroshi Tsukino called the move to quantum safe systems the largest cryptographic transformation in history. That might sound dramatic, but given everything we have discussed about migration timelines, it is hard to disagree. Making QKD cheaper to deploy could help it move beyond niche uses

Will QKD ever become mainstream, or will post quantum cryptography win on cost? And is a hybrid approach the safest option?

Toshiba launches quantum-safe networking platformwww.lightreading.com