Quantum Key Distribution (Qkd) from Academic Research to Industrial Practice
With the significant publicity campaigns around Quantum Technologies and specifically Quantum Communication, and the flurry of Standardization and Certification as well as industrial cooperation activities (ETSI, ISO, ITU-T, CEN-CENELEC, GSMA) we intend to have a serious discussion on the practical applicability of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). On the one hand it is paramount to understand what are the realistic or to be anticipated risks against which QKD can ensure protection. On the other it is to be elaborated, how QKD can be compared to suggested alternatives, specifically Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Further the utilization strategy of QKD is to be discussed. Very often some partially unrealistic and often exaggerated requirements such as dedicated fiber infrastructures and trust centers at short distances plus expectations for a specific and very expensive technology are put forward that make QKD technology appear unaffordable financially, This is to be addressed critically in conjunction with issues such as authentication in these cases. It is to be understood what practically relevant but affordable use cases can be addressed using QKD.