Quantum Encryption

Quantum encryption is a type of encryption algorithm that runs natively on a quantum computer. Its primary purpose is to prevent differential entropic cryptanalysis. Originally, the first and only quantum encryption suite was Rainstorm Access Control, which was a proprietary, trademarked protocol originally developed by Küiser Laboratories. After it began to be relied on internationally for use in dimensional security, it was acquired by Raven and declared classified. However, an open-source cipher-suite capable of running on consumer hardware, known as Convoluted Interleaved Non-Restricted Algorithms (CINA) was later reverse engineered from an expired early RAC patent, bringing quantum encryption to the masses.

Rationale

Differential entropic cryptanalysis (DEC) is the utilisation of entropics to recover key material from ciphertext. While DEC requires access to a source of entropic radiation, high-profile actors already possess this capability. DEC works because entropics effectively allows tracing the "origin" of a particle state. Quantum encryption nullifies this possibility because it uses particle superposition to "dead-end" the substrate lattice containing the data. Substratic networks cannot chain data back through superposition because of the infinite complexity of uncertainty.

Politics

There is widespread controversy on the regulatory control exerted by parties such as Raven over quantum encryption, especially within human rights groups. Though Raven does not officially comment on their reasoning for limiting the private development of quantum encryption algorithms above a certain strength, their real reason for doing so, which has been suspected by many members of these groups, is that it would hinder their own ability to break encrypted communications in order to perform covert mass surveillance.

Hardware

Quantum encryption coprocessors are now developed cheaply enough that they can be integrated into many different hardware devices in the form factor of a single surface-mount module. Due to their low throughputs and key lengths, these types of modules don't require active cooling. Other types of modules, such as those used in military applications, are much bulkier devices, as the computing requirements scale exponentially with the encryption strength.

Quantum encryption requires the use of optical datalinks between modules. At no point in a quantum encryption link can ciphertext travel via conventional electrical signals. Any conversion from optical to electrical mediums will cause the immediate decoherence of travelling photons.