The technique employs the use of quantum properties of photons to generate and exchange a key.
A US defence firm has come up with a technique called quantum key distribution (QKD) to tackle the biggest technological challenge US navy is facing to establish secure submarine communications links.
The technique employs the use of quantum properties of photons, which are polarised in two different ways to encode 0s and 1s, to generate and exchange a key, New Scientist reported.
And if anyone attempts to intercept the photons, the properties get disturbed and an alarm is raised.
Talking about the benefits of this technology, Marco Lanzagorta, director of quantum technologies at US defence firm ITT, claimed that this technique would enable the submarine to remain undetectable for weeks.
“You want the submarine to be undetectable for as long as possible - we're talking about several weeks,” said Lanzagorta.
With QKD, a secure link can be established while remaining 100 metres underwater, as submarines will be able to transmit photons of laser light to satellites, for retransmission to base.
After the key is exchanged, the submarine could then communicate through laser pulses with guaranteed security.
Lanzagorta’s simulations indicate that it would be feasible to transmit and receive data at 170 megabytes per second, which is adequate for video communication.
He will present his ideas next month at a cryptography workshop in Gaithersburg, Maryland, hosted by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The present submarine communication system, which involves the use of random ‘keys’ known as one-time pads to encrypt messages, is studded with several loopholes that can hinder secure communications.
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