The global body for the mobile industry, the GSMA, is creating a "post-quantum telecommunications network working group" that will seek to address the security of telecommunications networks as quantum computing becomes more widespread and developed.
IT giant IBM and mobile operator Vodafone have signed on as initial members of the group, which will define requirements, identify dependencies and create a technology roadmap for quantum-safe networking standards.
"The goal of the GSMA Taskforce is to bring together the world's leading communications service providers with experts from IBM, Vodafone and other carriers and ecosystem partners to understand and implement quantum security technology," said Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer of GSMA. GSMA.
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"By working together to establish consistent policies, we can define quantum security approaches that protect critical infrastructure and customer data, complementing our ongoing security efforts to increase the resiliency of future networks."
While classical computer architectures store information in binary bits (1 or 0), quantum computing uses the ability of subatomic particles to exist in multiple states at the same time.
This means that quantum computers can store much more information and solve problems much faster.
However, there are concerns that the technology could render industry-standard encryption measures obsolete, which could have huge implications for communications networks.
Therefore, the technology industry has turned its attention to developing secure quantum encrypted communications that mitigate the risk of cybercriminals stealing sensitive information that could be decrypted by quantum computers in the future.
The scale of the task ahead is illustrated by recent estimates from the World Economic Forum that more than 20 million home appliances will need to be upgraded or replaced over the next two decades.
“Quantum computing is by far the biggest computing revolution since the 1950s, and most of it will have a positive impact on our industry and society as we move towards fully automated networks,” said Luke Ibbetson, director of R&D. D for Vodafone. "It has the potential to solve very complex optimization problems that may allow us to further refine our networks for an even better customer experience.
"At the same time, quantum computing of the future could inherently undermine the cryptographic principles on which it is based today. That is why Vodafone is committed to working with the GSMA and other members of the GSMA Post-Quantum Working Group. Telco Network to protect and secure customer data through rapid adoption of quantum solutions, policies, and standards.