A test bed for quantum communications is being set up in Quebec. The capabilities of this technology could one day increase the security of computer communications.

The project is called Kirq, in honor of the character in the series Star Trek, is used in the cities of Montreal, Sherbrooke and Quebec. Companies can run tests on the network managed by the nonprofit Numana.

Its president and CEO, François Borrelli, gives the example of financial institutions that could carry out communications security tests. “We turned to banks,” he explains on the sidelines of the announcement of financial support from the federal government and Quebec. We start talking to them. We tell them, “It’s time to start securing this.”

This testbed will allow banks to test outside their network with suppliers and people they know that even a crash is not that serious. .

The development of quantum communication could spur the development of a means of transmitting information that would be safer according to the laws of quantum physics, explains Martin Laforest, director of quantum strategy at the ACET incubator, who advised Numana on its project.

In theory, the law of physics would ensure that a person trying to intercept a quantum communication would cause interference that would be noticeable, he explains in the sidelines of the announcement. This would make it possible to check whether the communication channel is secure before transmitting information. Fundamentally, you cannot measure or observe quantum behavior without disturbing it.

Quantum communication would therefore offer greater confidentiality than the encryption technology used today. In addition, the development of quantum computing will inevitably leave a chink in the armor of encrypted communications and solve the complex mathematics that protects information. As soon as they are built big enough [les ordinateurs quantiques]“Our security will be outdated today,” warns Mr. Laforest. Alternatives are needed.

We are returning to securing information using nature [les lois physiques de l’informatique quantique] instead of mathematics, which is potentially solvable, he summarizes. You cannot change the behavior of nature.

More than $10 million in aid

The federal government and Quebec announced Monday they would support this $13 million project with $3.6 million and $6.5 million, respectively.

Quebec sees quantum computing as a promising sector for the economy, emphasizes Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon. He cited the recent launch of IBM’s quantum computer in Bromont as an example.

Minister in charge of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, highlighted that the quantum computing sector could lead to the creation of 229,000 jobs in Canada by 2040, including 45,000 in Quebec.

South Korea and China already have commercial quantum communications networks. Canada wouldn’t be late, though Today it’s time to movesays Mr. Borrelli.

None are made in North America yet [des réseaux commerciaux], so it might be available. You just have to find the right business models. The test bench also serves to inform users, such as banks, that they can use these technologies.