ABSTRACT
Potentially solves significant key distribution and management problems
Offers a highly secure cryptographic solution Is not meant to replace, nor will it replace, existing
cryptographic technologies
Is a new hybrid model that combines quantum cryptography and traditional encryption to create a much
more secure system
Although not really ready for widespread commercial use, is developing very fast
CRYPTOGRAPHY OVERVIEW
This section is not intended to be a comprehensive over-
view of cryptography; for that, the reader is advised to
consult the references mentioned in Table 1,[1] Table 2,[2]
and Fig. 1. Nonetheless, before discussing the details of
quantum cryptography, an initial overview of cryptogra-
phy in general is necessary. Cryptography is the science of
using mathematics to encrypt and decrypt data to be sure
that communications between parties are indeed private.
Specifically, it is the branch of cryptology dealing with the
design of algorithms for encryption and decryption, which
are used to ensure the secrecy and authenticity of data.
Cryptography is derived from the Greek word kryptos,
meaning “hidden.”
