BridgeComm Demonstrates Quantum Encryption With Optical Ground Modem

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BridgeComm has demonstrated quantum encryption technology over the company’s optical ground modem, BridgeComm announced April 5. 

The company tested both AES-256 and post quantum attack resistant (PQC) Kyber-1024 encryption between its internally developed space terminal modem over a free space optical link to its optical ground modem. BridgeComm reported the trial demonstrated the system can securely transmit encrypted data under various scenarios and conditions, with the ability to close and maintain a connectivity link. The system was able to perform web browsing, playing YouTube videos, placing and receiving VOIP calls, file transfer, and encrypted video calls with two layers of encryption.

BridgeComm plans to integrate PQC on its optical space and ground modems, which it said will allow customers to create post-quantum attack resistant free space optical communications networks.  

BridgeComm CEO Michael Abad-Santos said this is the first time quantum encryption has been demonstrated over free space optical communications, and this is important for secure optical communications. 

“As we move into an increasingly data-driven future, the need for a new and augmented global communications infrastructure is growing exponentially. At the same time, the industry is working rapidly to develop and adopt post-quantum attack resistant encryption before supercomputing becomes a reality and encryption becomes defeatable,” Abad-Santos commented.