4. Importance of standardization in QKD and QSC

4.1 What's at stake?

For engineers researching computer security, QKD and PQC/QSC require knowledge of quantum mechanics (at atomic and subatomic levels) and information theory. Most of the publications are in technical English and are highly specialized (or sometimes over-simplified). This makes it all the more difficult for engineers to understand and keep abreast of the latest developments.

Moving from theory to practice in QKD requires up-to-date knowledge of optics (lasers emitted in free air and in optical fibers, single-photon sources, single-photon detectors, semi-reflecting mirrors, and photon polarization).

So, in addition to the competition between cryptographers and hackers, we are witnessing a race for theoretical and experimental...