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QuintessenceLabs

QuintessenceLabs: Advanced quantum cybersecurity products with high-speed true random numbers, encryption key management, and one time pad encryption.

QuintessenceLabs delivers a trusted security foundation protecting sensitive data on your premises, in the cloud or in uncontrolled environments.

QuintessenceLabs is the leader in quantum-enhanced cybersecurity. They provide enterprises with the strongest data protection today, preparing them for a quantum-safe tomorrow. Products from QuintessenceLabs combine world class security expertise with advanced science to create high-value technology, including a quantum-based random number generator, a high-performance, interoperable key and policy manager and a broad range of strong encryption solutions. They support data in use, in motion or at rest, and for systems on-premise, in the cloud or hybrid infrastructure.

For more information, visit www.quintessencelabs.com

 

NSA Recommendations Include High Entropy and Longer Keys to Protect Against Quantum Computer Developments

Currently, the NSA’s Information Assurance Directorate (IAD) only uses approved Suite B cryptographic algorithms, specified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to protect classified and unclassified National Security Systems (NSS). The Suite B algorithms have served as a method to ensure the security of classified and unclassified information through public networks. Now, or in the not too distant future, IAD will commence a transition to quantum resistant algorithms.

Due to the experience of deploying Suite B, early communication and planning has begun for quantum resistant algorithms. The ultimate goal is to “provide cost effective security against a potential quantum computer” (NSA). Partners looking to mitigate risk in the meantime are advised to use larger key sizes in algorithms. In addition, IAD customers protecting long-life national security information should begin implementing a layer of quantum resistant protection now. This protection can be implemented today through the use of large, high entropy, symmetric keys and specific secure protocol standards.

Obtaining high entropy keys at high rates is harder than it sounds. Random number generators, with seemingly high maximum throughputs and entropy often in practice only deliver the high entropy levels at very low throughputs. This results in a real security trade-off and risk. QuintessenceLabs quantum approach to generating random numbers addresses this challenge, offering rates of 1Gbit/sec, at 100% entropy.

QuintessenceLabs’ qStream random number generator measures quantum noise at very high frequencies, enabling the delivery of full-entropy, high-speed random numbers at a low total cost. qStream works in enterprise, cloud and shared environments. Moving to true quantum protection strengthens security, protecting data now and in the future as threats increase. The challenge of obtaining high entropy keys at high rates is removed with QuintessenceLabs’ qStream solution. Users can significantly enhance security today by using Quintessence Labs’ fully random keys delivered at the highest rates.

Find out more information on qStream here.

Quantum Encryption: Some economic and national security implications

One of the things I like about Alan Paller the individual and the organization he helps lead SANS is they encourage people to write.  They are great motivators, especially if you are pursuing a security certification.  As part of a my 2003 SANS certification I wrote a piece on Quantum Encryption and Quantum Computing and am glad I SANS forces me to put some thought into that.

I’m especially glad now that we are seeing increasing amounts of news and research announcements on the topics.  A key point I highlighted in the paper is the oft needed reminder that Quantum Encryption and Quantum Computing are two different things.  Both rely on Quantum effects but the impacts of their implementation will be different.  Quantum Encryption will enable encryption keys to be passed securely over a distance.  Quantum Computing will enable many things, but some dramatic security implications are expected.  For example, through implementation of the fast factorization of  integers via “Shor’s Algorithm,”  public key encryption using RSA encryption methods will be broken when Quantum Computing is available.

Now to my point:  I just read a great piece on Quantum Encryption written by Matthew Luce of the Jamestown Foundation.

The piece, titled China’s Secure Communications Quantum Leap, provides a solid review of recent announcements by a team of Chinese researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing and the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences (a government directed research center).  Papers published by this team announce successful demonstrations of quantum teleportation, a requirement for quantum encryption.

Here is more from Matthew Luce:

Although much of the science behind this technology is still young, quantum technologies have wide-ranging applications for the fields of cryptography, remote sensing and secure satellite communications. In the near future, the results from this experiment will be used to send encrypted messages that cannot be cracked or intercepted, and securely connect networks, even in remote areas, with no wired infrastructure, even incorporating satellites and submarines into the link.

Rather than transporting matter from place to place, quantum teleportation’s most practical applications currently involve using photons for instantaneous, almost totally secure data communication. Using the term “teleportation” to describe this effect can be justified by what Albert Einstein called “spooky action at a distance”: after two particles are linked together through quantum entanglement, any change in the state of one particle immediately alters the other, even from miles away. In effect, the state of the particle at the sender’s end is destroyed and reappears as an exact replica at the receiver’s end, with a negligible chance of undetected third-party interception.

Does that have your interest?  Does that make you mind go on the national security and technology implications?

Check out Jamestown.org for more great writing on that and other topics.

Related Reading:

Cyber Initiative and Deterrence

The No-Hype Guide To Quantum Computing You Need To See Today

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