EU scientists launch new, 'unbreakable' encryption system

[one...two...tree 2,762]

VIENNA (AFP) - A new encryption system, which its creators say is unbreakable, got its first test run Wednesday in Vienna, scientists from the European Union project SECOQC announced.

The successful demonstration, developed by the EU's Development of a Global Network for Secure Communication based on Quantum Cryptography (SECOQC) paves the way for it to be used in ordinary communications networks. "Potential users of this network, such as government agencies, financial institutions or companies with distributed subsidiaries, can encrypt their confidential communication with the highest level of security," said a SECOQC statement.

This kind of network should be commercialised within three years, said the project's Austrian coordinator, Christian Monyk.

The technology works by sending streams of light particles, or photons -- and that, say the scientists who created it, means it is entirely secure, as any eavesdropping would leave traces and immediately be detected.

Encrypted data, including a videoconference, was transmitted via standard optical fibre to six different centres, some as far as 82 kilometres (50 miles).

The demonstration took place during a three-day international conference in the Austrian capital to demonstrate the system.

Until now, quantum cryptography has been used simply to transmit information from one point to another, rather than as part of a network.

It is the result of four and half years of work by 41 partners, mostly universities and research centres, from 12 European countries.

Led by the Austrian Research Centers, the project was sponsored by one of the fathers of quantum physics, Anton Zeilinger from the University of Vienna.

Scientists from Austria, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland all participated in the 11.4-million-euro SECOQC project.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081008/sc_af...ttelecomaustria

[rocks 494]

unbreakable encryption?

sounds interesting, but i don't believe it will be unbreakable forever, where there's a will there's a way.

[mawilson 2,133]

Fuckin useless if you need to run a dedicated fibre optic cable from the sender to the recipient.

[rocks 494]

Fuckin useless if you need to run a dedicated fibre optic cable from the sender to the recipient.

maybe we'll all get upgraded to fiber networks

edit: dsl sucks

Edited October 8, 2008 by rocks

[Otto 83]

Unbreakable Code = Invitation for Hackers Worldwide

[Peikko 1,575]

That maybe the idea, test how 'unbreakable' it really is so they know before it goes online.

[rocks 494]

Unbreakable Code = Invitation for Hackers Worldwide

indeed. it will turn out like sony's un-copyable cd where you could draw a ring around the edge of the cd to get around it... or disney's copy protection on vhs tapes, which is relatively easy to get around with some electronics know-how and a few things from the internet. where there's a will (and a bored kid at home on the internet) there's a way

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

nsa is snickering.

[Niels Bohr 72]

It's true, anything can be cracked if it's man made.

[Nikita2Charles 32]

There's no such thing as Unbreakable. One thing I should say, nothing is 100% full proof, back when I was in school, we had guys in black suit eavesdroping on what we were doing. those same folks later on would come back with Job offers senior years. Every major technology should create a back door for the folks in black to drop in.

With Fiber optics compare to COAX you can't just attached a clip and reroute the data, once you mess with the cable for sure the other side would notice. Multiplex the signal and Demultiplex it at the other end. And dealing with lightwave

you can have so many different signal each one traveling at a differnt wavelenght so trying to find out whose peter from Jack is almost impossible. But one the signal is out of the path it's Fair game.

Edited October 8, 2008 by Nikita2Charles

[mawilson 2,133]

There's no such thing as Unbreakable.

There is. Must I bring up our discussion of one-time pads?

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

There's no such thing as Unbreakable.

There is. Must I bring up our discussion of one-time pads?

nsa is still laughing.

[luckytxn 2,264]

I used one time pads and trust me this is no one time pad. Not if they want or need data quickly.

It should take a week before it is broken into.

Edited October 9, 2008 by luckytxn