The Key to the Future

A comparison to a coin flip is usually cited here. The classical physics considers this situation, indicating the consequence of a throw: the coin falls either with an eagle, or with a heads up, there is no another possibility. Quantum physics, however, puts it on a different side, noting that the coin is in a state in which it is impossible to accurately indicate what is at the top, due to the fact that there is either an eagle or a tail at the top. And it is only erstwhile it falls that we see the consequence – this is the consequence of the measurement of the state, a thing in quantum physics highly important. But until the coin fell, and the gag mentioned at the beginning was told, we are dealing with the alleged superposition – a word for quantum physics crucial – a condition in which both other possibilities stay equally probable.

The intensive improvement of quantum physics investigation has allowed fresh technologies to be developed. They are long-term adequate to be curious in the Polish Army. The Department of Innovation of the Ministry of Defence published in 2023 a paper "Priorities of investigation in the Ministry of National Defence from 2021 to 1935", in which quantum technologies were, in addition to artificial intelligence and autonomy, listed in a group of alleged breakthrough technologies, i.e. having the top possible to keep a advanced technological level of NATO states. Colonel Dariusz Kwiatkowski, Deputy Commander of the Cyberspace defence Army, an institution that ensures safety in cyberspace and monitors the opportunities and risks associated with the latest technological developments and tries to make effective usage of the latest technological developments for the military, explains: "With breakthrough technologies, we can get products or solutions that will revolutionize the capabilities and functioning of the armed forces so far – not only will they increase the level of information safety and resilience of the systems, but they will besides enable the construction of completely fresh operational capabilities, key to the Cyberspace defence Army Command, but besides troops as a whole. Therefore, organizational, method and doctrinal changes that will take place in the case of their implementation are analysed in the Armed Forces of Poland today.

Track part optical blue laser in Polish computer quantum

Marek Życzkowski of the Institute of Optoelectronics of the Military method Academy convinces that the game is worth a candle. It points out that quantum technologies are not just an improvement in solutions already known, but they introduce completely fresh concepts. “This qualitative difference makes these technologies seen present as an area of strategical importance – scientific, civilian and military –” says the expert. Quantum technology solutions do not replace classical military systems but importantly improve their opposition to attacks, precision and safety of use. “This means expanding the reliability of command, designation and communication systems and expanding opposition to enemy activities in the information and electromagnetic domain,” concludes the WAT expert. This is confirmed by Dr Magdalena Stobińska-Moretto from the University of Warsaw, head of the Quantum Information Technology investigation Group and the recently created QLAB Hybrid-Classic Information Technologies Centre, which received backing from the Foundation for Polish Science: – Quantum technologies offer fresh functionalities that we do not observe in existing conventional communication and cryptographic systems – he emphasises.

Safer communication

Quantum cryptography should be indicated as the technology presently most advanced and prospective for military applications. It brings a full fresh level of safety of communication. “In classical systems, the protection of information results from the mathematical complexity of cryptographic algorithms,” explains Dr. Marek Życzkowski. – In the future, with increased computing power, erstwhile quantum computers appear, it can be broken. In the case of quantum communications, safety is not based on mathematical calculations, but is simply a consequence of the laws of physics," he adds. Although in conventional encryption methods the encrypted message can be read without the cognition of the sender and the recipient (the hackers can hack into our computers, and we may not even be aware of it), so in quantum cryptography any specified situation can be detected. In an pictorial way, the question of the safety of quantum cryptography is presented by Dr. Magdalena Stobińska-Moretto: – The flow of information can be compared to the flow of water in pipes. Sometimes the pipes aren't leaky and the water leaks somewhere along the way, and we may not even notice. The control of quantum information allows us to measurement all missing drop and thus find whether there has been a leak," the expert explains. specified a failure allows us to find whether the channel of communication is safe – and in the case of troops reliable channels of communication between individual commanders at each level of the military hierarchy stay a precedence for maintaining continuity of decision making. – Quantum cryptography gives users the anticipation to verify in real time whether they are eavesdropped," emphasises Dr. Magdalena Stobińska-Moretto. The benefits of these solutions are appreciated by the military as well. – They let to find the cryptographic key between the broadcaster and the recipient in an unconditionally safe manner – concludes Colonel Dariusz Kwiatkowski of DKWOC.

Quantum technologies let us to control atoms, simple particles (e.g. electrons) and even photons (smallest portions – quantums – lights).

With encryption key

In order to defend security, cryptographic safety systems for data transmission are being developed, i.e. specialized encryption methods, thanks to which the commanders of each sub-chapter can be certain that they receive the correct information, and at the same time the opponent will not know their intentions. 1 of the crucial elements for each cryptographic strategy is the alleged key, the secret parameter that controls the algorithm and determines how information is encrypted and accessed. Without it, we cannot log in, transfer or read an email, referring to our cognition of the regular usage of conventional data encryption methods. And this is where the advantages of fresh technologies are seen: this is served by a method called quantum distribution of the key, which for cryptography joins physical phenomena. erstwhile communicating, we usage the classical channel to which we send the encoded information, and the quantum channel (we can usage for this e.g. light transmission in the light water), which is utilized for quantum distribution of cryptographic key. This key is then utilized to encrypt information transmitted via a classical channel: on the same basis, erstwhile a single shipment was delivered to the recipient an encrypted message, e.g. in the form of the digits written on the card, and in the second, separate one, a code book was sent, through which the encrypted message could be read. Quantum technologies let us to control atoms, simple particles (e.g. electrons) and even photons (i.e. the smallest portions – quantums – lights) present – and this is how we send the cryptographic key in the quantum channel utilizing photons.

In the case of quantum key distribution, the fundamental substance is not the encryption level prepared utilizing mathematical tricks, but to find whether the quantum channel remained safe in the communication process. If it is eavesdropped, there are errors in transmission, which signal interference, and then the obtained key is not safe. Then you gotta make a fresh key – and if it reached the recipient without harm, we are certain that there was no abroad interference, and the message is safe.

Specific solutions in this area were developed, among others, as part of the OptoCrypt project. It was initiated and supervised by cyberspace defence troops, as the main coordinator of the task besides liable for surveillance and receiving results. It was implemented by a consortium led by the Military method Academy, attended by NASK State investigation Institute and TELDAT. 3 different products were yet developed. The first is simply a quantum random number generator that allows you to make random bit strings that, unlike software generators, are impossible to foretell or repeat. The second product is simply a quantum key exchange system, guaranteeing complete safety of information transmission via fibre optic channel. And the 3rd non-nutrient quantum cryptography strategy of optical phase coding.

Field Dressing ion trap system control computer quantum

The improvement of quantum cryptography, including quantum key distribution, remains in the area of DKWOC's peculiar interest in the work of this institution for cybersecurity. It is estimated that the implementation of technologies resistant to attacks from quantum computers should take place around 2030. By then, we should be ready to defend crucial systems from specified threats. As Colonel Dariusz Kwiatkowski explains: "We should do everything to guarantee that our systems utilizing public key cryptography are safe, i.e. solutions for authentication, key exchange, data encryption on the net and for digital signatures. That is why we are taking action to guarantee that systems are safe from possible attacks utilizing quantum computers.

Organisation

Yeah, quantum computers. In the context of the technologies discussed here, they are very frequently referred to as their incredible computing capabilities. However, we must remember that erstwhile it comes to the construction of these machines and the anticipation of utilizing them, the substance is inactive in the investigating and experimentation stage. – Unlike quantum cryptography, where we know very well what is the circumstantial benefit of utilizing quantum phenomena, specified benefits are not yet clear in terms of calculations and quantum computers – it reduces the emotions of Dr. Magdalena Stobińska-Moretto.

Efforts to make opportunities to build a quantum computer are besides undertaken in Poland. A task called MIKOK (modulatory quantum computer infrastructure) is being developed in military-civil cooperation. A consortium was established to be chaired by specialists from Warsaw University of Technology, including the Silesian University of Technology, the Military method Academy, the Military Institute of Armed Forces and Sonovero R&D, DKWOC delegated specialists who are part of the supervisory squad – the squad itself was appointed by the National Centre for investigation and Development.

It is no coincidence that specialists from various technological and military backgrounds were active in the construction of quantum computer infrastructure. The task contractor, Dr. Zbigniew Wawrzyniak from Warsaw University of Technology, explains: – We, engineers, build equipment infrastructure, make a utility machine. However, it does not work without software, so IT engineers are building an IT infrastructure – the alleged computational stack and software in it.

UGovernance to quantum key distribution – OptoKRYPT2

The expert points out that classical algorithms are not suitable for direct transfer to the quantum domain. This is due to the fact that quantum computers operate on completely different principles than conventional ones, so the way of creating quantum algorithms must besides be completely different.

The construction of a quantum computer is simply a technological challenge, which is why the issue of appropriate organisation within the MIKOK task and the engagement of experts, workers, users is besides of large importance. The collaboration of all these environments will let to verify technological capabilities, test circumstantial hardware or IT solutions, and check the possibilities of cooperation between different centres.

Dr. Zbigniew Wawrzyniak points out that in Polish conditions it seems very crucial to settle the dilemma: whether it is better to buy quantum technologies from suppliers from abroad or to make them at home. And it immediately responds: – due to our safety, we must have our own hardware infrastructure for quantum computers. At the same time, we should make our own staff that will be able to design, build, make prototype quantum devices and then usage them. “This will aid to increase our independency in these technologies, especially since we already have any solutions at the global level, specified as fast control electronics for the quantum processor.

What about readiness

– The quantum computer of general intent – understood as scalable and error-resistant – is inactive in the phase of advanced laboratory tests – says Colonel Dariusz Kwiatkowski. DKWOC, however, besides develops capabilities related to algorithms and quantum software. “We can compete with the world’s largest software centres or algorithms, which is due to the competences that our specialists have,” he concludes.

With respect to solutions at a advanced level of technological readiness, we have already mentioned products under the OptoCrypt programme. 1 of the conditions essential for their implementation in the Armed Forces of Poland is, among others, obtaining a cryptographic protection certificate. any solutions in the area of quantum metrology, e.g. the sensor prepared under the VIGIMARE project, appear to be close implementations (see box).

View ion crystal maintained trapped ion computer quantum

Today, however, we request to think about what is next. Dr. Zbigniew Wawrzyniak emphasizes that the issue of cooperation between different environments is highly important: a military that initiates or orders the improvement of circumstantial solutions, scientists who prepare method concepts, and manufacturers who will produce equipment with the specified parameters. “We engineers are from developing, prototyping, implementing, and as method universities we cannot handle all organizational issues in production, basic investigation and even more financial. Hence, the request for multi-domain improvement and implementation consortia is indicated by Dr. Wawrzyniak. It is so so crucial to make military-civil cooperation aimed at implementation.

For the future, Polish universities open fresh directions and specialities profiled just in terms of quantum technologies. – It is worth emphasizing the cooperation of troops with the Department of Cybernetics of the Military method Academy and common support in this area – says Colonel Dariusz Kwiatkowski. – In 2025 a fresh specialty was launched there: quantum computing, and in 3 years we anticipate the first specialists in quantum technology. I hope they will power DKWOC – he adds. The WAT besides created a quantum hub, a structure that expertly supports the Ministry of Defence in a wide scope of topics in this field. The world's largest armies are working on their own quantum technology solutions. Investing in home products and focusing on the improvement of national expertise in this area will so keep independency from alien concepts, ideas and solutions. This in turn increases the safety of our systems and translates into an increase in national security. In an increasingly unpredictable world, it is simply a substance of fundamental importance.