Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology that ensures secure communication by leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, such as the no-cloning theorem and quantum uncertainty. This chapter provides an overview of this quantum technology's maturity and trends. It highlights significant advancements in single-photon sources and detection technologies that have brought QKD closer to widespread adoption, including real-world deployments by industry leaders. While addressing challenges such as cost, integration, standardization, and the need for quantum repeaters, the chapter emphasizes the growing importance of QKD in securing mission-critical communications against future quantum threats. Through its unique ability to achieve information-theoretic security, QKD is poised to play a vital role in quantum-safe cryptographic algorithms and protocols.
@article{arxiv.2507.23192,
title = {Quantum Key Distribution},
author = {Sebastian Kish and Josef Pieprzyk and Seyit Camtepe},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.23192},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
Invited brief chapter to appear in Quantum Technologies: Trends and Implications for Cyber Defence (Springer, 2025): https://link.springer.com/book/9783031907265