Existing fiber cable in Boston used to create hacker-proof quantum network by Harvard

Harvard University physicists have successfully constructed what they claim is the longest secure quantum communications network in the world. The network, which spans 22 miles of existing fiber-optic cables, connects two quantum computer nodes through the phenomenon of “entanglement,” enabling secure data sharing over long distances. The experiment, published in the scientific journal Nature, demonstrates a paradigm of data transmission that is impervious to hacking, according to the laws of physics. This development is particularly significant in light of the impending “Q Day,” a hypothetical future point when quantum computers will be sufficiently powerful to compromise current encryption methods. While industries like banking, military, and healthcare have implemented security protocols to safeguard their data, there is currently no functional replacement for secure data transmission. However, quantum computers and quantum networking have the potential to address this issue by handling data in a manner that cannot be intercepted or copied. In a quantum system, data is fragile and any slight alteration renders it unusable. Therefore, instead of transmitting data in the traditional sense, it must be “entangled” at both ends. This is achieved using diamonds with specific flaws that allow scientists to exploit a vacuum space for entangling quantum information. The experimental quantum network systems being developed today could potentially become the primary means of distributing sensitive data in the future. Institutions may store data in secure centers and transmit it via quantum entanglement to ensure absolute protection against hacking. This could have significant implications for decentralized finance, as the concept of data ownership may be replaced by a paradigm where access is limited to entangled nodes. Consequently, digital assets like cryptocurrencies could be safeguarded against network-based attacks.