KT unveiled its future network security initiative, 'E2E Quantum Security,' to respond to security threats arising from the advancement of AI and quantum computing technologies, and presented an integrated security strategy that applies quantum technology across key infrastructure, from data transmission paths to network equipment, AI data centers, and the cloud.

KT announced on the 22nd that it unveiled the concept at a special session of the 'Korea Institute of Communication Sciences Summer Conference.' The conference was held from the 17th to the 19th at the Jeju Haevichi Hotel & Resort, and the presentation at the KT special session on the 19th was given by Jung Je-min, Senior Vice President of Network AI Research.

KT explained that as AI technology is utilized for vulnerability detection and attack automation, autonomously evolving attack methods are changing the existing network security paradigm.

It was also stated that the security of existing public-key cryptography systems could be degraded due to advancements in quantum computing.

The explanation is that public-key cryptography is structured so that anyone can encrypt but only specific users can decrypt, making it difficult to decrypt encrypted data even if a hacker stole it, but quantum computers make decryption possible.

E2E Quantum Security consists of three technology axes.

△Data transmission between the customer and the network These are 'Quantum Link' which protects the segment, 'Quantum Node' which detects and protects against vulnerabilities and anomalies in network equipment and operational segments, and 'Quantum Vault' which protects the entire lifecycle of data from creation to storage, use, and deletion.

It is reported that this will enable the establishment of an integrated protection system covering everything from transmission channels to equipment and data, thereby enhancing the speed of response to cyber attacks and security.

In the special session, security vulnerabilities and wireless attack techniques in 5G and LTE mobile communication environments, security issues in terminals, wireless protocols, and service configuration processes, zero-trust-based security systems, and telecommunication operators' security strategies for the AI era were also discussed.

Lee Jong-sik, Executive Vice President and Head of KT’s Future Network Lab, stated, “This special session was an opportunity to share AI-based security technologies designed to counter sophisticated cyber attacks and KT’s vision for future network security,” adding, “We will strengthen the stability and reliability of future networks based on our capabilities in AI and quantum technology.”