Verizon Looks to Quantum VPN Technology to Thwart Future Hacks

(TeleCompetitor) Verizon is testing how a Quantum Safe Virtual Private Network (VPN) may be able to improve data protection. Once quantum computers become more advanced and more common place, they will have the potential to break today’s public key encryption ciphers.
Hackers can plant the seeds today to exploit that technology by capturing current data and archiving it until quantum computers have the power to break the encryption. The Quantum Safe VPN is designed to thwart such a strategy by using key exchange security mechanisms or cryptographic ciphers that can provide an enhanced level of protection.
Verizon said it had successfully tested how a Quantum Safe VPN can replace the current public key encryption methods to establish encryption keys using Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) in a recent trial. In the test, keys (ciphers) were exchanged between two private 5G networks located in Verizon’s 5G Lab in London and its Executive Briefing Center in Ashburn, VA.
Jean McManus, Verizon executive director of applied research, in a prepared statement. “While it may be 5 to 10 years before quantum computers are powerful enough to break today’s encryption used in e-commerce and VPNs, it’s important to explore new security methods today to ensure our information is safe down the road.”