Combines quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography

Officials from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information and HanWool Materials Science pose for a commemorative photo marking the transfer of hybrid quantum security technology. [KISTI]
Officials from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information and HanWool Materials Science pose for a commemorative photo marking the transfer of hybrid quantum security technology. [KISTI]

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information announced Tuesday that it has transferred its "hybrid quantum security technology" to HanWool Materials Science to enable next-generation quantum cryptography communications.

Developed by KISTI's Quantum Communications Research Center, the hybrid quantum security technology is based on two domestically registered patents. It combines efficient quantum key resource management with quantum key distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC), achieving both high security and practicality, and is designed for use in real-world service environments.

QKD uses the properties of quantum mechanics to securely share encryption keys needed for communications, while PQC refers to encryption that resists decryption even by quantum computers.

The technology transfer also includes a relay path-selection technology that determines the optimal route for transmitting data across quantum cryptography networks. By factoring in the real-time status of quantum key holdings within a network, it selects the most efficient transmission path, enabling effective use of limited quantum keys and improving the performance and operational efficiency of large-scale quantum cryptography communication services.

"The hybrid quantum security technology is a next-generation quantum cryptography communications technology with high security and practicality," said Lee Won-hyeok, director of KISTI's Quantum Communications Research Center. "We hope this technology transfer will accelerate commercialization by domestic companies and contribute to building the national quantum security industry ecosystem."


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com