Skip to content

GCRI · Tecnologie quantistiche

Comunicazioni quantistiche

Quantum communications use quantum states of light to distribute encryption keys with security rooted in physics, and in future to link quantum computers and sensors in networks. Quantum key distribution works over limited distances and needs dedicated hardware and trusted nodes today. This page sets out how quantum communications work, what they can and cannot secure, and what evidence serves the network operators and security agencies weighing them.

02La domanda

Quantum communications: how the risk develops.

Communications research and deployment limits. The dossier below sets out how the risk develops, what is measured, where the data come from, how it is modelled and who decides.

Meccanismo

Measurement reveals eavesdropping

In quantum key distribution, measuring a quantum state disturbs it, so an eavesdropper introduces detectable errors. Keys are kept only when error rates are low.

Meccanismo

Distance is limited by loss

Photons are lost in fibre, limiting direct links. Longer networks use trusted relay nodes or satellites, each with security implications.

Meccanismo

Implementations can be attacked

Real devices deviate from ideal theory. Side-channel attacks on detectors and sources have been demonstrated, so security depends on implementation and certification.

Meccanismo

Quantum networks are early

Distributing entanglement between distant nodes needs quantum repeaters and memories, which are still in research.

03Monitoraggio

Monitoraggio della migrazione post-quantistica.

La schermata che un gruppo utilizzerebbe per seguire questo tema: misure, stati e decisioni. I nomi sono esempi e i valori sono illustrativi.

Monitoraggio della migrazione post-quantistica

Quantum communications · Crypto inventory · Wave 2

Dati di lunga durata a rischioGCRI · Tecnologie quantistiche

Migrazione

  1. Inventariotutta la crittografia
  2. Dare prioritàdurata di vita dei dati
  3. Selezionarealgoritmi standard
  4. Distribuzione ibridaclassica e PQC
  5. Testareinteroperabilità
  6. Passaggio in produzionedismettere

Sistemi per priorità

Firma degli archiviRSA-204828ML-DSA ibridoSperimentazione pilota
Gateway VPNECDH9ML-KEM ibridoPianificato
HSM dei pagamentiRSA-307211Roadmap del fornitoreBloccato
TLS webECDHE2Scambio di chiavi ibridoFatto

Avanzamento

Inventariati, %70 of 100 requiredIbrido implementato, %36 of 50 requiredRitirati, %2 of 25 required
Post-quantum migration tracker: the screen’s structure, terms and states for Quantum communications.Nomi di esempio e valori illustrativi; un progetto, non un registro né un sistema attivo.
04Tra i domini

Quantum communication touches the networks domains depend on.

Communication studies are designed for the serie Exponential Technology. Standards work sits in ETSI’s QKD group and the ITU-T Y.3800 series; several national security agencies prefer post-quantum cryptography to QKD for most uses.

  • Network trial reports.
  • Security analyses of QKD implementations.
05Metodi ed evidenze

How quantum communications is modelled, measured and tested.

Il modello, le sue ipotesi, i suoi dati e la sua incertezza, nella forma in cui uno scienziato o un ingegnere li verificherebbe. Le strutture seguono metodi pubblicati. I valori rappresentati sono illustrativi, non risultati.

Modello di sistema

The couplings between the systems in quantum communications: signs of influence, a reinforcing and a balancing loop, and cross-links where stress jumps.

++−+QuantisticaCyberComunitàEconomiaR di rinforzoB bilanciamento
Causal loop diagram from the page’s systems; signs show the direction of influence. Illustrative structure for a system dynamics or network model, not estimated couplings.
Principi guida FAIR · GO FAIR e FORCE11W3C PROV · World Wide Web ConsortiumGuidance on consistent treatment of uncertainties · IPCCCEOS Analysis Ready Data · Comitato sui satelliti per l'osservazione della Terra
06Indicatori

Cosa viene misurato e con quale accuratezza.

Ogni indicatore riporta la sua unità, la sua cadenza, il tipo di fonte su cui si basa e l'etichetta di evidenza che un valore riporterebbe. Non sono mostrati valori: un programma li fornisce sotto la propria autorità.

IndicatoreUnitàCadenzaTipo di fonteEtichetta
QKD link distancekilometresper demonstrationPublished experimentsRIPORTATO
Secret key ratebits per second at a stated distanceper demonstrationPublished experimentsRIPORTATO
Deployed QKD network nodesconteggioannualeOperator and government reportsRIPORTATO
Security evaluations completed for QKD productsconteggioannualeEvaluation scheme recordsStatistiche pubblicate
Quantum memory storage timemillisecondsper experimentPeer-reviewed resultsOSSERVATO
Satellite QKD demonstrationsconteggioannualeAgency reportsRIPORTATO
07Fonti

Da dove provengono le evidenze.

Set di dati pubblici e registri istituzionali specifici, ciascuno con la sua classe di licenza. Le fonti soggette ad accordo sono utilizzate solo alle relative condizioni e mai ripubblicate.

FonteCosa fornisceClasse di licenza
ETSI ISG QKD specificationsComponent, interface and security specificationsPublic, ETSI terms
Serie ITU-T Y.3800Network recommendations for QKDPublic, ITU terms
National cyber agency positions on QKDAgency views on QKD versus post-quantum cryptographyPublic, terms per agency
EuroQCI programme documentationEuropean quantum communication infrastructure plansPublic, EU terms
Peer-reviewed quantum communication literatureExperimental resultsLicence per article
08Decisioni

Chi decide, e a cosa servono le evidenze.

Quantum Technologies prepares evidence. The decisions below are taken by the authorities named, under their own rules, and never by the platform.

Chi decideLa domandaEvidenze fornite da questa pagina
Network operatorsWhether QKD fits any of their links and threat modelsUse comparisons; architecture reviews
National cyber agenciesWhat position to take on QKD for government useImplementation security evidence
Finanziatori della ricercaHow to fund quantum network researchProgress on memories and repeaters

Output prodotti da questo argomento

  • Comparisons of QKD and post-quantum cryptography for specific uses
  • Network architecture reviews including trusted nodes
  • Summaries of implementation security evidence
  • Evidence notes for operators
09Questioni centrali

Cosa si chiedono gli esperti.

Communications questions weigh physical security against practical limits.

  • What security does quantum key distribution actually provide, and under what assumptions?
  • How far can quantum signals travel through fibre or free space before they are lost?
  • Do trusted relay nodes undermine end-to-end security?
  • How do implementation flaws in real devices open side channels?
  • How does quantum key distribution compare with post-quantum cryptography for a given use?
10Meccanismi

Meccanismi e fattori.

Quantum key distribution relies on the principle that measuring a quantum state disturbs it, so two parties can detect an eavesdropper and agree a secret key. The security of the ideal protocol rests on physics rather than on assumptions about computational difficulty. Real sistemi, however, use imperfect sources and detectors, and several attacks have exploited those imperfections.

Photons are absorbed and scattered in fibre, which limits direct links to relatively short distances. Longer networks currently rely on trusted nodes, where the key is held in classical form and must be protected conventionally. Quantum repeaters, which would extend range without trusted nodes, remain a research goal. Satellites have been used to demonstrate links over long distances.

11Metodi e dati

Come viene studiato, e dove si fermano i metodi.

Metodo o datiCosa mostraLimiti
Security proofsTheoretical security of protocolsProofs assume idealised devices
Implementation testing and quantum hacking researchVulnerabilities in real equipmentTesting cannot prove the absence of flaws
Network trialsPerformance, key rates and operationsTrials are limited in scale and duration
Comparative security assessmentWhen quantum or post-quantum approaches fitDepends on threat model and system constraints
12Metodi

Come viene studiato, e cosa i metodi non possono dire.

  1. Calcolo, rilevamento e comunicazione quantisticiBenchmarking comparabile · Valutazione della maturità tecnologica · Monitoraggio delle implicazioni per la sicurezzaApplicato qui
  2. Fisica e scienza quantisticaCaratterizzazione del rumore dei qubit · Metrologia degli orologi quantistici · Verifica degli effetti quantisticiApplicato qui
  3. Cybersicurezza e crittografiaInventario crittografico · Priorità della migrazione · Revisione dell'implementazione QKDApplicato qui
13Where this page’s references

Where this page’s references lead.

Gli organismi e i documenti alla luce dei quali si legge questa pagina. Stato ed edizioni cambiano; ogni link porta all'organismo emittente.

14Domande

Domande e risposte.

What is quantum key distribution?
A method of generating shared encryption keys using quantum states of light, where any eavesdropping introduces detectable errors.
Is QKD unbreakable?
Its theory offers strong guarantees, but real devices have imperfections that have been attacked. Security depends on implementation, evaluation and the trusted nodes used.
Should organisations use QKD or post-quantum cryptography?
Several national agencies recommend post-quantum cryptography for most uses. QKD may suit specific links. The choice depends on threat model and agency guidance.
Is quantum key distribution unbreakable?
The ideal protocol is secure under the laws of physics, but real systems have imperfections, and trusted nodes and authentication still rely on conventional security. Unbreakable is not an accurate description of deployed systems.
Does quantum communication replace post-quantum cryptography?
No. They address different needs. Many security authorities treat post-quantum cryptography as the primary migration route, with quantum key distribution suited to specific use cases.
What is a quantum internet?
A proposed network that would distribute entanglement between distant quantum devices. It remains a long-term research goal.
RapportiContribuisci

Contribuisci con evidenze da questa pagina.

Rapporti is the Consortium’s quarterly publication. What you know about this subject can become evidence, a case or a correction in the next edition, credited to you and published under CC BY 4.0 where it is your own work.

GCRITecnologie quantisticheTecnologia esponenzialeProspettive Foresight
Tecnologie quantistiche

Porta un metodo, un set di dati o una domanda.

Informazioni e richieste sono aperte oggi. Una richiesta riceve un riferimento e indica il passo successivo; candidature, pagamenti, assegnazioni di calcolo e registrazioni si aprono solo quando esistono il team, le condizioni e la capacità di revisione.