The quantum cryptography technology developed by SK Telecom has been adopted as an industry standard by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and has been recognized as a global standard.

SK Telecom (CEO Yoo Young-sang) announced on the 9th that its proposed 'Quantum Cryptography Communication (QKD-based) Network Integrated Management Specification Standard (ETSI GS QKD-018)' was approved by the industry standards group under the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).

ETSI has over 900 member companies in over 60 countries around the world, centered in Europe, and is standardizing all areas of ICT, including wired and wireless communications, radio waves, broadcasting, SW, and ICT convergence technologies.

The Industry Standards Group (ISG) QKD, an organization under ETSI, is leading the standardization of quantum cryptography, having begun developing the world's first standards for quantum cryptography communication in 2008.

The standard proposed by SKT and approved by ETSI this time is an interface (SDN Orchestration) that includes the software-defined network (SDN) that controls quantum cryptography communication into the overall network integration management of the telecommunications company.n Interface) standard was developed.

Accordingly, when telecommunication companies introduce quantum cryptography communication networks, the way has been opened for integrated management of networks comprised of multiple equipment manufacturers and for quantum cryptography communication between equipment manufacturers.

In particular, this quantum cryptography standardization proposal is even more significant because it is based on the results of the ‘Quantum Cryptography Key Distribution SDN Interoperability Test between Heterogeneous Telecommunications Equipment Companies’, which SKT won as part of a government-funded project (Digital New Deal). SKT plans to complete the related verification on the national test network, the KOREN quantum test network, in December.

Additionally, SKT's technology for linking quantum cryptography communication networks with existing communication networks, including the QKD standardization plan approved by ETSI this time, is expected to be included in the '2021 GSMA Quantum Cryptography White Paper' scheduled for publication in December.

The '2021 GSMA Quantum Cryptography White Paper' will also present: △the linkage of quantum cryptography with existing cryptographic systems; △services utilizing quantum technology and related standardization trends; △an overview and maturity of quantum cryptography technology, and major application cases.

In addition, SKT is actively expanding the scope of quantum cryptography communication technology, such as testing commercial services based on post-quantum cryptography (PQC).

SKT has successfully developed a 'Global PQC-based Virtual Private Network' (Global PQCrypto-VPN) service that applies quantum-resistant cryptography to respond to quantum computer security threats in international network services.

SKT is conducting commercial tests on its global VPN service using PQC candidate algorithms currently under review as international standards by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), with the goal of commercializing them next year.

PQC is a quantum-resistant encryption technology that is resistant to quantum computers. With this, SKT has secured quantum key distribution (QKD) technology and quantum-resistant cryptography (PQC) technology, and can now provide both types of encryption technologies by applying them.

SK Telecom Innovation Suite Director Ha Min-yong said, “The ‘quantum cryptography communication’ standard approved by ETSI this time is an example of a technology developed through a government-funded project becoming a global standard.” He added, “We will use this as an opportunity to work to revitalize quantum cryptography and continue to lead international standardization activities to foster a quantum cryptography ecosystem.”