Quantum Cryptography: How Quantum Computing Will Help Secure 5G Networks?

Quantum Computing is the use of quantum-mechanical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to perform computation. Quantum computers perform calculations based on the probability of an object's state before it is measured – instead of just 1s or 0s – which means they have the potential to process more data compared to classical computers. A quantum computer works with particles that can be in superposition.

Observing the market trends we can say that quantum computing will change our computer architecture, IT architecture, and even corporate structure. Quantum computing allows for quick detection, analysis, integration, and diagnosis from large scattered data sets. Quantum computers can search extensive, unsorted data sets to quickly uncover patterns. This powerful technology can also view all items in a massive database at the same time to uncover potentially important patterns.

Moreover, quantum cryptography is the science of exploiting quantum mechanical properties to perform cryptographic tasks. The best-known example of quantum cryptography is the quantum key distribution which offers an information-theoretically secure solution to the key exchange problem.

Furthermore, in the age of 5G technology, as secure communication will become a crucial aspect of connectivity, the theory of quantum cryptography is more likely to take center stage.

According to last year's reports, researchers have devised a way to embed quantum cryptography into 5G networks, protecting the next-generation telecoms infrastructure from cyber-attacks. A team of scientists at the University of Bristol claims its solution secures 5G services without compromising download speeds.

Over the last decade, advances in software engineering have led to network services being moved from dedicated hardware to commodity computing services. Attempts to interfere with these systems could compromise the security of the network. But the researchers' solution protects against such attacks by incorporating quantum cryptography into a network virtualization platform capable of protecting several mobile carriers at any one time.

Professor Reza Nejabati, head of Bristol's high-performance networks research group, said: "Hardware and software technologies reported in this paper can potentially revolutionize 5G networks." He further added, "They empower network operators to leverage the flexibility and programmability offered by virtualization technology in order to create new types of internet services while taking advantage of transmission at the speed of light and also securing the system using quantum technology."

A number of concerns have been raised about the security risks posed by 5G. While the 5G security rules set up by the 3GPP standards body are believed to be more secure than those for 4G, it's expected that 5G will be used to connect more than just mobile phones, expanding the so-called threat surface. In time, self-driving cars and personal medical technology could both depend on 5G to operate.

Professor Dimitra Simeonidou, director of the Smart Internet Lab, said: "5G networks will transform communications, industry, and society in the next decade. However, security is a key concern for 5G deployment and is expressed widely in global media." He added, "The University of Bristol has pioneered research on 5G and quantum for a number of years and more recently led a number of landmark demonstrations of 5G benefits. With this new work, we bring together our research strengths to provide an ultimate security solution for 5G networks."