The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), in collaboration with PRL, has achieved a significant milestone by integrating C-DOT’s indigenous fibre-based quantum key distribution (QKD) system with the PRL’s Free Space QKD system, resulting in an end-to-end quantum communication link involving both fibre and free space as transport mediums.
This was demonstrated to Prof. Ajay Sood, principal scientific adviser (PSA) to the government of India, and Dr. Neeraj Mittal, secretary, Department of Telecommunications, at the 2nd International Quantum Communication Conclave.
QKD can address threats caused due to quantum computers’ rapid advancements like data security, easy breakage of encryption/ decryption keys, by working a million times faster than classical advanced computers and ensuring fool-proof security in communication networks, playing a critical role in sectors like defence, government communications, pharmaceutical and healthcare, financial services, data centres, and telecommunication networks. QKD can be deployed through optical fiber, free space, and satellite for end-to-end security.
Commenting on the collaboration, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, chief executive officer (CEO), C-DOT said, “It’s a significant achievement for both CDOT and PRL and both the organisations will continue to work towards further scaling of the integrated QKD system.”
