Next Generation Cryptography "Quantum Cryptography" Large Scale Development Project Starts July 14 at 2:16
It was found that a large-scale development project involving major companies and universities will begin this month with the aim of expanding the world of next-generation encryption technology called "quantum cryptographic communication."
Various data are encrypted and communicated on the Internet etc., but if a quantum computer whose computing power far exceeds that of a super computer is used in earnest, the current encryption may be easily deciphered, Development of next-generation cryptographic technology "quantum cryptographic communication" is accelerating globally.
According to the people involved, a large-scale quantum cryptographic communication development project involving 12 companies and universities such as Toshiba, NEC and Mitsubishi Electric, as well as the University of Tokyo, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, will begin this month. It was
Over the next five years, each will bring its own strength technology, extend the communication distance without breaking the code, and enable information exchange without being decrypted even when using high-speed, large-capacity wireless communication 5G This means that we will jointly promote the development of technologies for doing so.
In this field, Japanese companies have a strong presence, with Toshiba ranking first in the world and NEC second in terms of the number of patents they hold.
Quantum cryptographic communication is expected to grow in demand worldwide in order to protect highly confidential information that also leads to security such as defense and finance, so this project will enhance competitiveness and lead the world It seems that it can be done.
If it becomes popular, it will reach the market of 2 trillion yen
Quantum cryptography is expected to become an indispensable technology with the spread of quantum computers.
Quantum computers are being researched by IBM in the United States and Google, and last October, a research team such as Google ended the calculation problem that was supposed to take 10,000 years with supercomputers so far in 3 minutes 20 seconds. , Has been published.
Quantum cryptographic communication is expected to play a role in safely exchanging important information when such quantum computers with extremely high computing power are used in earnest.
Specifically, it is a mechanism that exchanges encrypted information and the "key" necessary for decrypting it on a weak light, and if you try to decrypt it illegally the state of the light will change and you can not use it as a "key" , It is said to be a technology that can never be deciphered.
Toshiba, which has strengths in this field, expects that quantum cryptographic communication will begin to be used mainly in developed countries five years from now, and it will become widespread worldwide in 2035, becoming a 2 trillion yen market.