Air Force awards quantum encryption SBIR contract
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By
Nick Wakeman
Terra Quantum will research technologies that can create long-range quantum-resistant networks.
The Air Force has turned to a small business innovation research contract to explore the development of a quantum-resistant network.
Germany-headquartered Terra Quantum won the Air Force Research Laboratory contract to work on an ultra-secure, long-range communications network that uses post-quantum encryption.
The company said Tuesdsay that the project will focus on combining quantum-key distribution, quantum random number generators, and post-quantum cryptography libraries for a solution that will advance cybersecurity readiness.
The Air Force wants a solution that can address future quantum threats and secure military operations.
Quantum computing is regarded as having the potential to perform mathematical algorithms exponentially faster and crack classical state-of-the-art cryptographic systems. The need to protect information against quantum threats continues to increase, according to the company’s announcement.
The combination of quantum technologies in this project could allow the Air Force and the Defense Department to reach the highest level of cybersecurity and create a defense against hack-now, decrypt-later attacks.
“The world faces ever-increasing cybersecurity attacks that threaten our critical infrastructure. The provided solutions help protect sensitive data and set new industry standards for quantum-secure communication,” said Terra Quantum CEO Markus Pfiltsch.