In the context of increasing application of quantum technology across the fields, including the military, examine the vulnerabilities and need for quantum resilient cyberspace. Also highlight the challenges and suggest measures to make India’s cyberspace quantum-resilient.

In the past few years, the global quantum industry has seen massive investments in R&D. Recently the Indian Army has taken initiative to build secure communications and cryptography applications using quantum technology with the help of industry and academia.

Quantum technology:

• Quantum technology is based on the principles of quantum mechanics and now its properties are being used in the field of computing.
• The quantum computers work on qibits instead of binary bits (0 and 1).
• This new technology is millions of times faster than our present fastest supercomputers.

Vulnerabilities from quantum technology:

• The traditional cryptographic methods to securely transmit data over the internet are of little or no use against quantum computing.
• Countries like China, US are increasing military applications of quantum technology.
• Current cryptographic methods and security protocols will quickly become outdated with the introduction of quantum computing at a wider level.
• China now hosts two of the world’s fastest quantum computers, which is a threat to India.

Initiatives taken by government of India:

• National Mission on quantum technologies and applications – the budget of 2020-21 had proposed to spend Rs.8000 crore on this mission.
• The government has declared quantum technology as a mission of national importance.
• Innovation for Defence Excellence (i-DEX) under Defence Innovation Organisation is working with start-ups in the field of quantum cryptography.
• Premier technological institutions such as DRDO, ISRO are working in this field.
• A joint team of DRDO and IIT Delhi successfully demonstrated Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link, over a distance of 100 kilometres.

Challenges:

• Presently India has limited capability to develop advanced systems capable of withstanding quantum cyber attacks.
• Chinese state-sponsored cyber attacks.
• Dependence on foreign hardware.

Way forward:

• Procurement of NSA (National Security Agency) Quantum Resistant Suite from the United States.
• Increasing research and development.
• Increasing private sector participation.
• Focus on collaboration.
• Diplomatic partnerships in the sector.
• Indigenisation of technology.

The national Mission on quantum computing and development of quantum technology will help India in achieving the goal of self-reliance and boost its defence capabilities.

Topics: GS-III: Technology Missions • GS-III: Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology • GS-III: Cyber Security in India