SECOQC Business White Paper

1 ABSTRACT In contemporary cryptographic systems, secret keys are usually exchanged by means of methods, which suffer from mathematical and technology inherent drawbacks. That could lead to unnoticed complete compromise of cryptographic systems, without a chance of control by its legitimate owners. Therefore a need for innovative solutions exists when truly and reliably secure transmission of secrets is required for dealing with critical data and applications. Quantum Cryptography (QC), in particular Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) can answer that need. The business white paper (BWP) summarizes how secret key establishment and distribution problems can be solved by quantum cryptography. It deals with several considerations related to how the quantum cryptography innovation could contribute to provide business effectiveness. It addresses advantages and also limitations of quantum cryptography, proposes a scenario case study, and invokes standardization related issues. In addition, it answers most frequently asked questions about quantum cryptography. The aims of this white paper are to: • explain the innovation produced by the SECOQC consortium related to quantum cryptography for secure information transmission; • promote the use of quantum cryptography by describing the business advantages of integrating such mechanisms and quantum networks in existing telecommunication architecture; • facilitate decision making processes for adoption of quantum cryptography solutions by business managers for the benefit of public or private institutions; • raise public awareness of the possible use of the application of quantum cryptography to enhance actual cryptographic security mechanisms. SECOQC Business White Paper addresses quantum cryptography business related issues. Consequently, it does not give mathematical or physical details of classical or quantum cryptography. The reader does not need to have a mathematical, physical, computer science or telecommunication background. Offering a good level of data confidentiality is nowadays becoming an important feature for business realisation and competitiveness. SECOQC provides a tool based on quantum cryptography that will enable organisations to exchange critical information with guaranteed confidentiality, knowing that their vital informational assets are secure from industrial espionage and other forms of illegal activities. Quantum cryptography provides long-term security and thus conforms to the requirements of a number of recent legal regulations for protecting information. For any institution, as for examples financial entities, governments, military agencies, airports or critical infrastructures as power stations, etc., the necessity for secure communication takes highest priority when the exchanged information is considered as critical. For such institutions a security breach in the transmitted information could be a disaster that …