Crypto history for history buffs

[ikalugin]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't quantum crypto basically OTP equivalent?

[Von Due]

Originally Posted by ikalugin

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't quantum crypto basically OTP equivalent?

QC in itself isn't OTP but QC is well suited for a OTP scheme. It is still being developed even though QC has been used, mainly in tests but also in short distance to medium distance transmissions. Long distance, especially between ground and satellite or through air for more than a short distance has proved tricky and is still researched. Right now the main selling point of QC, to my limited knowledge, is that evesdropping becomes impossible without leaving a mark (reportedly, this was shown to be possible under certain conditions not long ago but I don't have the actual report on that).

The main point though is, it was the RSA branch that gave us secure e-commerce, online bank transitions etc while the only other viable options until recently were symmetric key schemes.