AIP Publishing LLC
AIP Publishing LLC
  • pubs.aip.org
  • AIP
  • AIP China
  • University Science Books
  • Resources
    • Researchers
    • Librarians
    • Publishing Partners
    • Topical Portfolios
    • Commercial Partners
  • Publications

    Find the Right Journal

    Explore the AIP Publishing collection by title, topic, impact, citations, and more.
    Browse Journals

    Latest Content

    Read about the newest discoveries and developments in the physical sciences.
    See What's New

    Publications

    • Journals
    • Books
    • Physics Today
    • AIP Conference Proceedings
    • Scilight
    • Find the Right Journal
    • Latest Content
  • About
    • About Us
    • News and Announcements
    • Careers
    • Events
    • Leadership
    • Contact
  • pubs.aip.org
  • AIP
  • AIP China
  • University Science Books

Keep It Secret: Cloud Data Storage Security Approach Taps Quantum Physics

  • November 14, 2023
  • AIP Advances
  • News
Share:

Secure cloud data storage method uses quantum random numbers as encryption keys and disperses them via Shamir’s secret sharing algorithm.

From the Journal: AIP Advances

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2023 – Distributed cloud storage is a hot topic for security researchers around the globe pursuing secure data storage, and a team in China is now merging quantum physics with mature cryptography and storage techniques to achieve a cost-effective cloud storage solution.

Shamir’s secret sharing, a known method, is a key distribution algorithm. It involves distributing private information to a group so that “the secret” can be revealed only when a majority pools their knowledge. It’s common to combine quantum key distribution (QKD) and Shamir’s secret sharing algorithm for secure storage – at an utmost security level. But utmost security solutions tend to bring substantial cost baggage, including significant cloud storage space requirements.

In AIP Advances, the team presents its method that uses quantum random numbers as encryption keys, disperses the keys via Sharmir’s secret sharing algorithm, applies erasure coding within ciphertext, and securely transmits the data through QKD-protected networks to distributed clouds.

Their method not only provides quantum security to the entire system but also offers fault tolerance and efficient storage – and this may help speed the adoption of quantum technologies.

“In essence, our solution is quantum-secure and serves as a practical application of the fusion between quantum and cryptography technologies,” said corresponding author Yong Zhao, vice president of QuantumCTek Co. Ltd., a quantum information technology company. “QKD-generated keys secure both user data uploads to servers and data transmissions to dispersed cloud storage nodes.”

The team explored whether quantum security services could expand beyond secure data transmission to offer a richer spectrum of quantum security applications such as data storage and processing.

They came up with a more secure and cost-effective fault-tolerant cloud storage solution. “It not only achieves quantum security but also saves storage space when compared to traditional mirroring methods or ones based on Shamir’s secret sharing, which is commonly used for distributed management of sensitive data,” said Zhao.

When the team ran the solution through experimental tests ranging from encryption/decryption, key preservation, and data storage, it proved to be effective.

The solution is currently feasible from both technological and engineering perspectives: It meets the requirement for relevant quantum and cryptographic standards to ensure a secure storage solution capable of withstanding the challenges posed by quantum computing.

“In the future, we plan to drive the commercial implementation of this technology to offer practical services,” said Zhao. “We’ll explore various usage models in multiuser scenarios, and we’re also considering integrating more quantum technologies, such as quantum secret sharing, into cloud storage.”

###

For more information:
Wendy Beatty
media@aip.org
301-209-3090

Article Title

Quantum-secure fault-tolerant distributed cloud storage system

Authors

Chun-Li Ma, Dong-Dong Li, Yalin Li, Yinghao Wu, Song-Yan Ding, Jun Wang, Pei-Yuan Li, Song Zhang, Junjie Chen, Xiaoxing Zhang, Jia-Yong Wang, Jin Li, Qiang Li, Zhi-Tong Chen, Lei Zhou, Mei-Sheng Zhao, and Yong Zhao

Author Affiliations

QuantumCTek Co. Ltd., Shandong Institute of Quantum Science and Technology, Jiangsu WisQuantum Technology Co, Nanjing e-Quantum Information Technology Co., Tsinghua University, Jiangsu Superfluidity Technology Co., CAS Quantum Network Co., and Shanghai Jiaotong University


AIP Advances

AIP Advances is a fully open access, online-only, peer-reviewed journal. It covers all areas of applied physical sciences. With its advanced web 2.0 functionality, the journal puts relevant content and discussion tools in the hands of the community to shape the direction of the physical sciences.

http://aipadvances.aip.org

Share:
  • When languages collide, which survives?
  • Putting Sound Waves to Work to Create Safer Public Spaces

Keep Up With AIP Publishing

Sign up for the AIP newsletter to receive the latest news and information from AIP Publishing.
Sign Up

AIP PUBLISHING

1305 Walt Whitman Road,
Suite 110
Melville, NY 11747
(516) 576-2200

Resources

  • Researchers
  • Librarians
  • Publishing Partners
  • Commercial Partners

About

  • About Us
  • Careers 
  • Leadership

Support

  • Contact Us
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy

© 2025 AIP Publishing LLC
  • 𝕏