The race for the future of encrypted digital communications is on as NIST prepares to release new “post-quantum” cryptography standards. Simultaneously, India, China, the EU, and US are delving into quantum-key distribution (QKD) systems based on quantum physics. China has made strides in QKD research, but others are catching up. QKD systems offer theoretically secure communication, while post-quantum cryptography relies on mathematical complexity to be practically unbreakable. Developments in both fields may lead to hybrid solutions for a future quantum-safe network. The possibility of QKD being hacked and China’s early lead in QKD are significant points of interest.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/quantum-key-distribution