SKT·SKB, First Commercialization of Quantum-Resistant Encryption on International Network

Transmission Test Completed in the US, Japan, Singapore, etc.
'Quantum Hybrid Key Combination' International Standardization and Development Completed
Expansion of Quantum Technology Field... Leading Standardization and Ecosystem

SKT researchers are conducting studies to apply PQC to international networks.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] SK Telecom and SK Broadband announced on the 13th that they have commercialized quantum-resistant cryptography (PQC) for the first time in Korea on a global virtual private network (VPN) network using international lines. PQC is an encryption method that uses mathematical algorithms. Global VPN is a technology that builds a virtual private network on the internet and uses it like an intranet, connecting devices located separately in Korea and overseas.

Through this PQC commercialization, SKT has expanded the scope of quantum cryptography technology with PQC following quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum random number generator (QRNG), enabling efficient enhancement of security. While QKD installs and operates physical key distribution devices at each segment, PQC is implemented in a software manner.

SKT explained, "QKD and PQC are evaluated as complementary technologies in terms of security scope and convenience," adding, "It demonstrated that PQC can be efficiently applied in international line segments where using QKD networks is difficult due to physical constraints."

SKB stated that it completed the installation of PQC-VPN through a software update in August and successfully completed network tests overseas in the U.S., Japan, Singapore, and other countries. ‘PQC-VPN’ applied PQC public key encryption (PKE), key encapsulation mechanism (KEM), and signature algorithms to strengthen the security of the VPN network.

In particular, 'PQC-VPN' adopted Crystals Kyber and Crystals Dilithium, the final candidates of PQC algorithms selected by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), for the first time in Korea. These two algorithms, Crystals Kyber and Crystals Dilithium, are highly regarded for their scalability and stability as they are likely to become global PQC standards in the future. Additionally, PQC-VPN applied a hybrid technology that simultaneously uses existing public key-based algorithms and PQC algorithms during authentication and key distribution to enhance stability.

Separately, SKT announced that it has completed the development of the 'Hybrid Key Combination for Quantum Communication Encryption Equipment' technology. This technology combines existing public key-based encryption keys with quantum keys distributed through quantum key distribution methods to use as secret keys for existing encryption equipment, representing a core technology area for the spread of quantum cryptography. It was developed according to security requirements prepared by the National Intelligence Service through the quantum cryptography communication infrastructure construction project led by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency (NIA) since 2020.

SKT plans to collaborate with the National Security Research Institute (NSR), Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA), and Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) to conduct pre-verification of security and safety tests. The company aims to lead the quantum cryptography communication market by releasing products next year that comply with security function testing systems in government and public sectors.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.