China is the latest to apply quantum cryptology to create a supposedly unhackable network, but how valid are these claims?
The Chinese quantum crypto computer project in question in the city of Jinjan, is being promoted by state media as a milestone with 200 military, government and financial sector workers taking part in the trial.
The development of quantum crypto networks is not new; research has been going on for decades and such networks already operate in the West. However, over here they tend to research projects whereas the Chinese development is being carried out with commercial partners.
Joe Pindar, director of data protection product strategy at Gemalto, told SC that what China has achieved is “significant, and is the closest we have got to reasonably using the phrase unhackable”.
I see that the BBC is perpetuating the ‘hack-proof’ idea in this story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40885723