Quantum cryptography communications to K-net+, strengthening national information security
- Applied to 33 institutions in the national communications network, 48 national institutions to be converted by the end of the year -

National Information Resources Service (hereinafter referred to as 'NIRS') announced on June 30th, 2022 that quantum cryptographic communications will be applied to 'K-net+', 33 out of 48 institutions for the first time.

NIRS decided to carry on the initiative to more strongly protect national information resources from increasing amount of sophisticated and intelligent cyber threats.

The K-net+ is the pan-governmental national communications network that integrates the information and communications networks (K-net) that were individually established and operated by each institution into one.

In April last year, NIRS established and has managed and operated two backbone networks (Network 1 : SK broadband, Network 2 : LG U+) to secure the safety of the K-net+.

The Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) applied section introduced this time is the core node transmission section of the backbone networks of K-net+.

A separate Key Channel was established to check the integrity of the Quantum Channel (QC) and quantum cryptographic communications network, to distribute encryption keys, and to quickly respond to those problematic cases.

* If existing cryptosystems (public keys, etc.) are considered to be based on mathematical complexity, quantum cryptography employs quantum superposition, uncertainty, and irreversibility, which are characteristics of quantum based on physical phenomena in nature, so, eavesdroppers cannot know accurate information. Fact of eavesdropping is immediately detected anyway.

Prior to actual application, NIRS has confirmed and verified that hackings such as communications network information theft, eavesdropping, and wiretapping are fundamentally blocked through a demonstration of quantum cryptography application on June 27th.

Currently, 33 out of 48 national institutions that have completed conversion to the K-net+ will be guaranteed safer communications network services from quantum cryptography.

NIRS explained that the remaining 15 institutions will be phased in by the end of this year to secure a safe and harmless communications network.

NIRS is planning to complete the conversion of 48 national institutions into K-net+ by the end of this year, and continues to discover and develop new technologies such as Bandwidth on Demand (BoD)* and quantum cryptography communications to provide stable and efficient network platform services.

* 90% safer network configuration than before and 30% additional configuration of spare ports and free bandwidth for temporary bandwidth allocation

In the future, it is expected that the security of the K-net+ will become stronger and safer by gradually expanding and applying quantum cryptographic communications services to general nodes as well as core nodes.

The President of NIRS, Dr. Kang, Dong-seok said, "The K-net+ has become the cornerstone of the national network infrastructure with advanced information and communications (IT) technology leadership such as application of quantum cryptographic communications."

He said that he would provide the best administrative services considering all of them.