Charles Bennett and Gilles Brassard were recognized for their foundational work in quantum information science. <p>The post <a href="https://www.quantamagazine.org/quantum-cryptography-pioneers-win-turing-award-20260318/" target="_blank">Quantum Cryptography Pioneers Win Turing Award</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.quantamagazine.org" target="_blank">Quanta Magazine</a></p>
One afternoon in October 1979, Gilles Brassard was swimming outside a beachfront hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when a stranger swam up to him and changed the course of his career. Without so much as an introduction, the man began describing a way to create currency that couldn’t be forged. The scheme was based on the laws of quantum physics — a subject Brassard, a computer scientist…
Quantum cryptography is a method of secure communication that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to protect information. It enables the detection of eavesdropping and ensures that any attempt to intercept the communication will alter the quantum states involved, thus revealing the presence of an intruder.
Quantum Key Distribution is a secure communication method that uses quantum mechanics to distribute encryption keys. It ensures that any attempt to eavesdrop on the key exchange can be detected, making it a cornerstone of quantum cryptography.