South African and Chinese scientists partner to establish quantum satellite link

[Jan]

South Africa sets up "uncrackable" quantum satellite link with China

Stellenbosch University has announced a record-breaking quantum satellite link between South Africa and China, with encryption the parties described as “unbreakable”.

Scientists from South Africa and China established the link, now the world’s longest intercontinental ultra-secure quantum satellite link at 12,900km.

 

[neoprema]

I hope someone in Gov owns 30% of the transmission infrastructure from China...

 

[now05ster]

now the world’s longest intercontinental ultra-secure quantum satellite link at 12,900km.

Nice.

 

[PCWARITM]

Impressive! Now to figure out how we can market this while using the word quantum and maintaining credibility. Perhaps add web3.0 and blockchain on just in case and ask MTI peeps how to market.

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Expanding their Mass Surveillance network? Are we Chinese citizens already?

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Expanding their Mass Surveillance network? Are we Chinese citizens already?

we can easily find out, ask what happened on 15th of April 1989.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Uncrackable?

 

[Fulcrum29]

How reliable and stable is this link?

Though it is deemed uncrackable, it can be exploited. I mean... heh, they are already tapping into transmissions that have OTP.

 

[S.Claus]

Trade you a KFC bucket for the passwords?

 

[jeevadotnet]

its to run all the Vumacams & Hikvision cams directly through China's central Machine vision facility.

 

[rh1]

I hope there are no sexual assaults on the Chinese scientists.

 

[Pythonista]

Challenge accepted !

 

[Fulcrum29]

Trade you a KFC bucket for the passwords?

Not possible unless someone shares what is already decrypted. Though the transmission can be intercepted, there are cases where this has been done with networks like those undersea. Nodes have been compromised, cables have been tapped, too. Satellite networks are more unique; weaknesses would have to be in the relays. Then... eh, masquerading is possible.

I won't be able to say I'm not a security, communications, or cryptography expert. I only read what is shared in public. Nothing is impenetrable; in time, maybe already, there are means to manipulate such links.

For interest:

One-time pad - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Starting in 1988, the African National Congress (ANC) used disk-based one-time pads as part of a secure communication system between ANC leaders outside South Africa and in-country operatives as part of Operation Vula, a successful effort to build a resistance network inside South Africa. Random numbers on the disk were erased after use. A Belgian flight attendant acted as courier to bring in the pad disks. A regular resupply of new disks was needed as they were used up fairly quickly. One problem with the system was that it could not be used for secure data storage. Later Vula added a stream cipher keyed by book codes to solve this problem.

This is but one OTP technique; MyBroadband has an article on it,

How the ANC sent encrypted messages in the fight against apartheid

This is how ANC operatives sent encrypted messages to one another in the final years of apartheid.

mybroadband.co.za

There are many articles on Tim Jenkin's contributions to this system. It isn't unique to them, though.

 

[username and 23 others]

South Africa sets up "uncrackable" quantum satellite link with China

... but we cannot stop loadshedding. Bah, humbug!

 

[Crowley]

Impressive! Now to figure out how we can market this while using the word quantum and maintaining credibility. Perhaps add web3.0 and blockchain on just in case and ask MTI peeps how to market.

You forgot AI.

 

[Corelli]

Nothing more than 5 minutes with a cup of coffee in my pajamas and its toast.

But you know whats easier?

Simply cut the building's power and its off.

 

[Corelli]

Not possible unless someone shares what is already decrypted. Though the transmission can be intercepted, there are cases where this has been done with networks like those undersea. Nodes have been compromised, cables have been tapped, too. Satellite networks are more unique; weaknesses would have to be in the relays. Then... eh, masquerading is possible.

I won't be able to say I'm not a security, communications, or cryptography expert. I only read what is shared in public. Nothing is impenetrable; in time, maybe already, there are means to manipulate such links.

For interest:

One-time pad - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This is but one OTP technique; MyBroadband has an article on it,

How the ANC sent encrypted messages in the fight against apartheid

This is how ANC operatives sent encrypted messages to one another in the final years of apartheid.

mybroadband.co.za

There are many articles on Tim Jenkin's contributions to this system. It isn't unique to them, though.

You forgot the German Enigma machine was cracked based on
1. Weather
2. Heil H-r

The ANC was also cracked, you just have to find the right genius. Ironically the same genius helped them with paying far less taxes post his retirement.

 

[kazeus]

Anyone know what the speedtest would look like on this network??

XD honestly thought this was going to be an article on the toyota quantum and the taxi industry when i first started reading the title...

 

[Slckrck]

Impressive! Now to figure out how we can market this while using the word quantum and maintaining credibility. Perhaps add web3.0 and blockchain on just in case and ask MTI peeps how to market.

I understand the sentiment, but this actually involves quantum encryption....so isn't just a marketing buzzword.....it is also impressive since Aus is also in the Southern hemisphere and we beat those kangaroos to it.

 

[Brian_G]

I understand the sentiment, but this actually involves quantum encryption....so isn't just a marketing buzzword.....

Earlier wording suggested so, but as I understood it after reading it more carefully, not quite, it's just quantum as far as transmission / reception goes.

This is achieved via one-time pad encryption, which is considered unbreakable.

Quantum communication leverages the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, promising highly secure information transfer.

QKD uses single photons to encode and transmit secure keys. The technology provides unparalleled security as these photons can’t be intercepted, copied, or measured without altering their quantum states.