CHINA DEVELOPING MORE ADVANCED TECH THAN THE WEST? Earlier this month, it announced its plans to be the global leader in artificial intelligence by 2030. One thing is for certain. China’s scientific stature has risen sharply in the last 10 years or so. Recently they announced the launch of an internet messaging system that could literally be ‘impossible to hack,’ according to Chinese State officials. The ‘Jinan network’ is set to be launched this August after a long period of sustained and successful tests. What makes this latest attempt at 100% secure communications is that the technology behind ‘Jinan,’ will 100% use quantum cryptology to detect and defend itself against any cyber-attack.

Quantum encryption vs Traditional encryption methods.

Traditional encryption that most of us use in one form or another, whether we know it or not, works by hiding the encryption key in a very difficult mathematical problem, the answer to which only the recipient of the message sent is supposed to receive.

However, as quantum computing becomes more advanced, the Chinese government has been pouring huge resources into developing more secure technology that itself can’t be hacked by quantum technology. As computers become more powerful, even the latest standard traditional encryption technology, has a time dependent shelf life.

Impossible to hack, not impossible to block

Quantum networks, however, unlike the traditional standard systems mentioned above, send their messages embedded in particles of light. Should any third-party attempt to hack the network, the very nature of the quantum particles used, will be altered.

This has two main effects. The first is that the message will be destroyed or altered to such an extent that it is impossible to decipher. The second is that the Jinan network will automatically know that someone has tried to hack the network. Meaning the message is impossible to read or intercept.

But this also means that hackers could theoretically disrupt all secure communications, by simply interrupting messages on the Jinan network. Again, however, this would mean that at least no one could intercept the messages, which in counter-espionage circles could be described as a win-win situation.