SK Telecom launches Quantum Encryption Gateway “to make self-driving cars unhackable”
Autonomous cars and vehicles present a clear opportunity for cyber criminals to wreak chaos on our roads, but first they'd have to break the vehicles' unbreakable quantum encryption.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2019) 'SK Telecom launches Quantum Encryption Gateway “to make self-driving cars unhackable”', 311 Institute, 12 March. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/sk-telecom-launches-quantum-encryption-gateway-to-make-self-driving-cars-unhackable/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
If you, like many people, have ever wondered how we’ll be able to stop cyber criminals taking control of the fleets of autonomous vehicles and causing chaos in our streets and on our highways in years to come then one answer could be Hackproof Code, something that the US military trialled a couple of years ago with great success, and another, thanks to Singapore based SK Telecom, could be to use Quantum Encryption, which, like the US military’s experiment, is also thought to be unhackable. And they announced their “Quantum Security Gateway” solution a few weeks ago at the Mobile World Congress.
According to the company the solution is an “integrated security device that will be installed inside cars and protect various electronic units and networks in the vehicle,” and the gateway, which was co-developed with South Korean controller maker GINT, will be used to secure all the vehicles various systems, from Vehicle-2-Everything (V2X) and Bluetooth communication systems to the car’s driver assistance, radar and smart keys. The solution will also alert the driver and a central monitoring system to any peculiar activity.
The gateway works by transferring a quantum random number generator and Quantum Key along with the vehicle’s data that will "fundamentally prevent hacking and make the cars unhackable", SK Telecom said.
SK Telecom formed its quantum technology research lab in 2011 and first applied the technology in a South Korean LTE network in in 2016, then in February 2018 the company also bought half the stake of Swiss based quantum key solution provider ID Quantique, saying at the time it “would offer heightened security for 5G.” And in July, it ran the first trial of the new “quantum-safe system” for Deutsche Telekom's trial network.
Source: ZDNet
What this means for your organisation
Cars are now attack surfaces.
Connected cars link radar, keys, driver assistance and outside networks. Each link is a way in for attackers. Fleets of autonomous vehicles raise the stakes further.
Quantum keys raise the bar.
Quantum random numbers and keys make data far harder to intercept. That protects vehicle systems over long product lives. Carmakers should assess quantum-safe options early.
Migration mandates are coming.
Rules requiring a move to post-quantum cryptography are spreading. Vehicles built today will still be on the road when they bite. Build upgrade paths into vehicle security now.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- How long will our connected products stay in service?
- Are our vehicles or devices ready for quantum-era threats?
- Which systems in our products face outside attack?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Autonomous cars and vehicles present a clear opportunity for cyber criminals to wreak chaos on our roads, but first they'd have to break the vehicles' unbreakable quantum encryption.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Index sktelecom.com
- quantum key solution provider ID Quantique zdnet.com
- Deutsche Telekom's trial network. zdnet.com
- Sk telecom to launch quantum gateway for self driving car security zdnet.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 12 March 2019. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2019). SK Telecom launches Quantum Encryption Gateway “to make self-driving cars unhackable”. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/sk-telecom-launches-quantum-encryption-gateway-to-make-self-driving-cars-unhackable/
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