Quantum cryptography, a technology that uses photons to encrypt communications over fibre-optic lines and the air, is starting to come out of the laboratory and into commercial use. Some technology watchers say quantum crypto continues to have an aura of secrecy because the ... . . .
Quantum cryptography, a technology that uses photons to encrypt communications over fibre-optic lines and the air, is starting to come out of the laboratory and into commercial use.

Some technology watchers say quantum crypto continues to have an aura of secrecy because the greatest demand for it is coming from the military and financial sectors that guard very sensitive data. "If you need it, you don't want people to know," says Trent Henry, an analyst at Burton Group.


MagiQ Technologies. recently began selling the world's first commercially available point-to-point quantum-crypto box. Separately, a Swiss company called Id Quantique will start pilot tests of its encryptor with banks and other businesses. Both companies' boxes start at US$50,000 ($84,500).