Securing India’s cyberspace from quantum techniques

Securing India’s cyberspace from quantum techniques

Subject : Science and Technology

Context-

• Last month, there were reports that the Indian Army is developing cryptographic techniques to make its networks resistant to attacks by systems with quantum capabilities.
• This step builds on last year’s initiative to establish a quantum computing laboratory at the military engineering institute in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.

Need for quantum technology in defence-

• The traditional encryption models are at risk so the deployment of “quantum-resistant” systems has become a necessity.
• Quantum cyberattacks can potentially breach any hardened target, opening a significant vulnerability for existing digital infrastructure.
• Hack proofing these systems will require considerable investments.
• Cyber risks arising from quantum computing are accentuated by the lead taken by some nations in this sector.
• For example, the US National Quantum Initiative Act has already allocated $1.2 billion for research in defence-related quantum technology.
• China hosts two of the world’s fastest quantum computers.

Where India stands-

• In February 2022, a joint team of the Defence Research and Development Organisation and IIT-Delhi successfully demonstrated a QKD link between two cities in UP — Prayagraj and Vindhyachal— located 100 kilometres apart.
• China’s quantum advances expand the spectre of quantum cyberattacks against India’s digital infrastructure, which already faces a barrage of attacks from Chinese state-sponsored hackers.
• India’s dependence on foreign, particularly Chinese hardware, is an additional vulnerability.

India’s cyberspace resilience-

• In 2019, the Centre declared quantum technology a “mission of national importance”.
• The Union Budget 2020-21 had proposed to spend Rs 8,000 crore on the newly launched National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications.
• Currently, India has very few capabilities in developing advanced systems capable of withstanding quantum cyberattacks.
• India must consider procuring the United States National Security Agency’s (NSA) Suite B Cryptography Quantum-Resistant Suite as its official encryption mechanism.
• This can then facilitate India’s official transition to quantum-resistant algorithms.
• India shall look forward to join Open Quantum Safe project — a global initiative started in 2016 for prototyping and integrating quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms.
• Quantum Key Distribution (QKDs) over long distances, especially connecting military outposts for sensitive communications, can be prioritised to ensure secure communications whilst protecting key intelligence from potential quantum cyberattacks.

National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NM-QTA) –

• The NM-QTA, also called the National Quantum Mission, was announced with an outlay of Rs.8000 crore for five years in the Budget 2020.
• Implemented by- Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
• The focus areas for the mission will be addressing national priorities through:
  • Fundamental science
  • Translation
  • Technology development
• Quantum principles will be used to engineer solutions to problems in the field of communications, computing, chemistry, sensing, cryptography, mechanics, imaging among others.

Applications of quantum computing and technology include those in the domains of aerospace engineering, simulations, weather prediction, cybersecurity, securing communications and financial transactions, education, health, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, etc.