Quantum Key Distribution (QKD):A Review on Technology, Recent Developments and Future Prospects

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) provides promising secure communication, the crucial need for online security in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). QKD is mainly used for distribution of keys securely between two parties and is a commercially available application of Quantum Cryptography (QC). QKD has the ability to enable the authenticated users to detect unwanted attempts by the intruder in trying to gain knowledge of the secret key. Through the fundamental nature of quantum mechanics, in Principle QKD has the distinction of being, unshakable. Quantum cryptography harnesses the counterintuitive behavior of elementary particles such as photons and ensures the confidentiality of information transmitted between two parties. There are many QKD protocols that provide a secure key which include BB84 protocol, BB92 protocol, SARG04 protocol, E91 protocol, COW protocol, DPS protocol ect. In this review the trends and challenges in Quantum Key Distribution is discussed .Also the contribution of QKD towards network security is presented by analyzing its strengths and weakness.