Securing data with Quantum Key Distribution: a death knell to cyber attackers?

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Securing data with Quantum Key Distribution: a death knell to cyber attackers?

Network communications encrypted using next-gen cryptography will be unbreakable, future-proof, and will allow for early intervention and mitigation

The global pandemic is causing an irreversible rise in double-threat ransomware, data theft and sophisticated supply-chain attacks. Fortunately, cybercriminals have been hampered by enterprise-level data encryption, which they have not been able to bypass easily.

However, with the advent of quantum computing, even this data protection method is under threat. With massive computing power within reach, cybercriminals can find ways to crack encryption algorithms.

University research collaborations in Indonesia and Thailand have already demonstrated the practical applications of quantum computers in cryptography, and cybercriminals are also watching the developments closely.

This is why Toshiba’s work in quantum-cybersecurity research is set to level the playing field against malicious actors. In late August this year, the firm announced a collaboration with a Singapore-based quantum technology firm SpeQtral, to offer quantum secure communications solutions powered by Toshiba’s Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology.

What is Quantum Key Distribution?

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is used to distribute the secret digital keys important for protecting highly sensitive data critical to many industries. Only when the right digital keys are in hand can recipients access the unlocked data. The problem is that digital keys can be stolen or misappropriated. Cyber hackers can then unlock stolen data with the compromised keys.

The essence of QKD security relies on encoding each bit of the key upon a single photon (particle of light) transmitted, for example through an ordinary optical fiber. As any attempt to read the photons alters their encoding, and this allows the secrecy of each key to be tested and guaranteed. Unlike other existing security solutions, QKD is secure from all future advances in mathematics and computing, including the data processing power of a quantum computer.

With QKD technology, not only is the encrypted data secure from unlocking, but any hacking attempts on the digital keys can be detected at an early stage, ensuring that the data and messages are accessible only by the intended recipient.

In Southeast Asia, the National University of Singapore is working to make QKD technology available to the wider industry to incubate a new class of “quantum-resilient encryptors” in financial services, government and healthcare sectors that work with highly sensitive data.

Thailand also has a strong quantum cryptographic research sector. Chiang Mai University has collaborated with the Thailand Centre of Excellence in Physics on single-atom trapping systems; other universities exploring quantum technology include the Suranaree University of Technology; National Institute of Metrology, and even a social enterprise, Quantum Technology Foundation of Thailand. The country regularly works with world research laboratories in America, China, Japan, and Russia to exchange research ideas.

From the secure transmission of sensitive genomic data, to data transfers between critical industrial infrastructure, uses cases of QKD in today’s cybersecurity landscape are innumerable.

Securing data with Quantum Key Distribution: a death knell to cyber attackers?

According to Mr Hiroshi Fukuchi, Corporate Representative – Asia Pacific, Toshiba Corporation and Managing Director, Toshiba Asia Pacific Pte Ltd: “Southeast Asia is a vast potential market and development base for QKD. Toshiba has established industry partnerships in our early deployments of quantum technology in Japan, the US, and the UK. We are excited to be part of the QKD industry’s global expansion and commercialization in Singapore and Southeast Asia.”

Tackling cybercrime with QKD

Back in 2003, Toshiba was already a pioneer in researching quantum cryptography at the Cambridge Research Laboratory of Toshiba Research Europe Limited. By 2004, the conglomerate had become the first to announce quantum key distribution over 100 kilometers of fiber, and the first to achieve a continuous key rate exceeding 1Mbps in 2010, followed by 10Mbps in 2017.

Now, with the global acceleration of digital transformation, the volume of digital data in use and at rest will skyrocket exponentially. Along with this trend we are already witnessing a massive escalation of cybercriminal threats to steal and monetize valuable data.

This is where Toshiba’s QKD technology will be more pertinent than ever. The collaboration with SpeQtral will help potential users in Southeast Asia understand the need for and consider the implementation of QKD solutions to secure their communications, with free knowledge-sharing webinars and workshops as a starting point.

Securing data with Quantum Key Distribution: a death knell to cyber attackers?

As a global hub for financial applications, Singapore in particular serves as a focal point for telecommunications, data centers, and cloud connectivity infrastructure. These industries process extremely important and high-value data, and it is crucial to continually review the security of these communications and upgrade current systems to address future threats.

Additionally, as each organization has unique data connectivity configuration and security requirements, the SpeQtral-Toshiba collaboration will help provide QKD solutions to ensure needs are addressed.

Leading the world in QKD development

Toshiba’s decades of quantum research have led to the development of two practical QKD devices for installation in multiplexed (up to 70km) and long-distance (up to 120km) usage scenarios.

Being designed for flexible and cost-effective deployment the two commercially-available products will enable quantum researchers in Southeast Asia and the world to further their research and trial cost effectively and reliably.

Meanwhile, as digital economies emerge from the acceleration of technological adoption, integration of emerging telecommunications infrastructures and deployment of 5G networks, quantum key distribution is an important building block to realize safe data communications.

That is why Toshiba continues to invest in deep research into QKD and related fields of quantum science in order to benefit governments, academia and industry in preemptively blocking off cyber threats.

On a more positive note, the Quantum Internet of the Future is set to bring a new era of beneficial technological progress to the world. This is what Toshiba Corporation—with its stated mission of boosting innovation and trust to contribute to the world at every level—is fully vest in.

For more information, please visit Toshiba Asia Pacific.

For more stories, please visit Toshiba Clip.

Published : December 24, 2021

B. Braun Thailand Ltd wins Best Company to Work for in Asia 2021 Award

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The selection ahead of 269 participating companies from over 25 industries in Thailand reaffirms the company’s good human resources practices.

B. Braun Thailand Ltd wins Best Company to Work for in Asia 2021 Award

B.Braun (Thailand) Ltd was presented with the ‘Best Company to Work for in Asia 2021‘ in recognition of its accomplishments in People Management for the second year in a row. The award, organized by Business Media International (BMI) and HR Asia, is held annually in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the UAE, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. It recognizes companies with best-in-class HR practices, high levels of employee engagement and an excellent workplace culture.

B. Braun Thailand has consistently set out to implement strategies and practices that would differentiate it from amongst its industry peers. The company continuously nurtures a culture of collaboration built on Trust and Accountability, complimented by career development and continuous learning opportunities, while providing a highly conducive workspace that is based on Diversity and Inclusivity. B. Braun Thailand also went above and beyond to ensure that all its employees remained safe and healthy – both physically and emotionally – during the pandemic.

These practices enabled the company to score above the industry average across all three assessment areas in the Total Engagement Assessment ModelTM (TEAM) survey, which is part of the HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work for in Asia® criteria. The TEAM survey evaluates employee engagement on

• CORE (Collective Organization for Real Engagement)

• SELF (Heart, Mind & Soul)

• GROUP (Think, Feel & Do)

Some 269 companies from over 25 industries in Thailand were nominated for the award and B. Braun Thailand was selected to be one of the 50 winners for 2021.

Mr. Sayan Roy, Managing Director of B. Braun (Thailand) Ltd. said:

“It is an honour for B. Braun Thailand to be recognized as one of the “Best Companies to Work for in Asia” again. This award is an affirmation that we are on the right path with our good HR practices in achieving our vision to protect and improve the health of people around the world. At B. Braun, we strongly believe in our employees’ capabilities and we will ensure the continuous development of a competent, diverse, and inclusive workforce. This award will encourage our leadership team to continue our commitment for developing and supporting our employees to have a fulfilling employee experience. A special thanks as well to all our employees, as we are humbled by their faith in the organization.”

About the awards

The HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia Awards is an awards recognition program for organizations that have been identified by their employees as one of Asia’s employers of choice and ascertains the best employers to work for. The award is targeted at companies across Asia and recognizes companies with the best HR practices and which demonstrate high levels of employee engagement and excellent workplace cultures. The high-profile nature of this award attracts applications from Fortune 500 companies, as well as other companies of various types, including multinational corporations and government-linked companies.

Published : December 24, 2021

SET slightly falls despite positive news of Covid-19 vaccines, pills 

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The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,637.22 on Friday, down 4.25 points or 0.26 per cent. Transactions totalled 57.27 billion baht with an index high of 1,644.12 and a low of 1,635.19.

SET slightly falls despite positive news of Covid-19 vaccines, pills 

The index fell after rising by 0.90 per cent on Thursday, 0.28 per cent on Wednesday and 0.40 per cent on Tuesday.

The 10 stocks with the highest trade value today were GPSC, MAKRO, EA, TRUE, NV, CPALL, GULF, U, SCB and RCL.

Other Asian indices were mixed:

  • Japan’s Nikkei Index closed at 28,782.59, down 15.78 points or 0.055 per cent.
  • China’s Shanghai SE Composite closed at 3,618.05, down 25.29 points or 0.69 per cent, while the Shenzhen SE Component closed at 14,710.33, down 153.60 points or 1.03 per cent.
  • Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed at 23,223.76, up 30.12 points or 0.13 per cent.
  • South Korea’s KOSPI Index closed at 3,012.43, up 14.26 points or 0.48 per cent.
  • Taiwan’s TAIEX Index closed at 17,961.64, up 14.98 points or 0.083 per cent.

Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION

Baht strengthens as investors appetite for risk rise

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The baht opened at 33.52 to the US dollar on Friday, strengthening from Thursday’s closing rate of 33.54.

Baht strengthens as investors appetite for risk rise

The Thai currency is likely to move between 33.45 and 33.60 to the greenback during the day, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool predicted.

Poon said that the baht might strengthen slightly and swing sideways in the range between 33.40 to 33.50 to the dollar. 

He said the baht continued to strengthen this week after the market was in a risk-on state which caused the dollar to weaken. 

Moreover, foreign investors invested in Thai assets also helped the baht to strengthen.

He said that the baht might strengthen more if the gold price reaches near the key resistance level and investors sell the gold.

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Poon added that the baht should strengthen in the short term according to the technical sign.

The baht key resistance level is at 33.80 to the dollar, which is the level that exporters are waiting to close the risk. Meanwhile, the baht support level is at 33.40 to the dollar.

Poon added that the number of transactions at the end of the year is reducing so the currency market is likely to fluctuate.

Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION

Gold price freezes amid worries over Omicron and US inflation

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The price of gold in Thailand on Friday morning was unchanged from Thursday’s close.

Gold price freezes amid worries over Omicron and US inflation

AGold Traders Association report at 9.29am said the buying price of a gold bar was THB28,600 per baht weight and selling price THB28,700, while the buying and selling price of gold ornaments is THB28,091.48 and THB29,200, respectively.

The spot gold price on Friday morning hovered around US$1,809 (THB60,652) per ounce after Comex gold at close on Thursday rose by $9.5 to $1,8011.7 per ounce due to support from buying the precious metal as a safe-haven asset amid concerns over the Omicron Covid-19 outbreak and the US inflation.

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The Hong Kong gold price, meanwhile, rose by HK$30 to $16,850 (THB72,434) per tael, the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society reported.

Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION

Only 2 Bangkok countdown events cancelled, says govt spokesman

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In a bid to curb Omicron infections, the government has instructed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to cancel two countdown events, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Thursday.

Only 2 Bangkok countdown events cancelled, says govt spokesman

Private events can go ahead as planned, he added.

The events to be cancelled are the New Year Buddhist chanting ceremony scheduled to be held in the Town Square in Phra Nakhon district and the countdown on Lad Ya Road in Khlong San district.

“Private parties that have received permission from the BMA to hold events can proceed as planned, provided they adhere to the prevention measures set by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration,” Thanakorn said.

These measures include ensuring all participants have been double-jabbed or have a negative test result via the ATK method and are wearing a facemask at all times. Consumption of alcohol is only allowed in open-air restaurants until 1am on New Year’s Day.

“Not all New Year countdown events in Bangkok have been cancelled as some may have thought,” Thanakorn added.

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Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION

Students, teachers near Myanmar border taught how to escape artillery fire

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The 36th Border Patrol Regiment on Saturday held a special evacuation drill for teachers and students of Ban Tha Ta Fang school in Mae Hong Son’s Mae Sariang district, which is very close to the Myanmar border.

Students, teachers near Myanmar border taught how to escape artillery fire

The drill was held to prepare them in case there are clashes near the border and stray artillery shells fall on Mae Hong Son.

Students, teachers near Myanmar border taught how to escape artillery fire

“Soldiers on border patrol had built a bomb shelter in the school earlier, and the drill today will teach them how to get to the shelter quickly and safely,” regiment commander Colonel Somphop Jaiboon said. “The shelter is 8 meters long, 5m wide and 1.5m high. It is stocked with food and water that will cover all students and teachers for at least three days.”

Students, teachers near Myanmar border taught how to escape artillery fire

Border patrol soldiers in Mae Hong Son have on the alert clashes broke out between the Myanmar military and the Karen National Union. They are also providing safety drills to villagers in risky areas to ensure they can escape without problems in case of an emergency.

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Published : December 25, 2021

By : THE NATION

Forecast for New Year spending lowest in 12 years

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The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC)’s Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting (CEBF) expects people to spend 85.8 billion baht during the New Year break, 6.2 per cent less than last year and the lowest in 12 years.

Forecast for New Year spending lowest in 12 years

The expected spending was split as follows:
• Domestic travel: 47.91 billion baht
• International travel: 1.73 billion baht
• Celebrations: 10.03 billion baht
• Shopping: 15.79 billion baht
• Making merit: 7.87 billion baht

The centre also said that the population wants the government to do the following:
• Manage the country transparently
• Combat corruption
• Decentralise administration so local governments can work efficiently
• Launch more economic stimulus schemes like Khon La Khrueng (Let’s Go Halves) and Chim Shop Chai (Eat, Shop, Spend)
• Solve the Covid-19 problem.

Meanwhile, the centre revealed that the most bought New Year presents were gift baskets, food and supplement drinks.

The average spending on local travel came in at just under 5,500 baht per person and international travel at slightly more than 21,000 during the New Year break.

A survey conducted by CEBF showed that 71.2 per cent of Thais expect the state of the economy to affect their spending, while 68.3 per cent said it was also Covid-19 and 43.2 per cent said it was debt.

Forecast for New Year spending lowest in 12 years

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ICONSIAM 2022 countdown to go ahead as planned

The top three things people want the government to do are take care of the cost of living, solve the Covid-19 situation and address the household debt problem.

The study also found that 28.4 per cent of people believe the economy will worsen next year, 26.5 per cent believe it will remain unchanged, 25.4 per cent expect it to worsen only slightly, while 0.1 per cent were positive. Most people chose the “do not know” option, while some thought the economy will grow by 2.51-3 per cent.

Most people also want the government to extend economic stimulus measures like the Khon La Khrueng scheme (Let’s Go Halves), Shop Dee Mee Kuen (Shop and Payback), and Rao Tiew Duay Kan (We Travel Together).

The survey showed that 72.7 per cent of people are worried about Omicron, while 27.3 per cent are not worried.

However, the Omicron situation has affected the decision to travel during the New Year break for 59.6 per cent of the respondents.

Published : December 25, 2021

By : THE NATION

7 airlines ready to fly during New Year break under tighter Covid-19 measures

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Seven airlines under the Thai Airlines Association are ready to fly passengers during the New Year holidays under enhanced Covid-19 prevention measures, association president Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said on Friday.

7 airlines ready to fly during New Year break under tighter Covid-19 measures

The airlines are Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Smile Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet.

“To cope with the threat of the Omicron variant, the association has instructed its members to strictly adhere to disease control measures as well as monitor latest updates on the variant,” he said. “The seven airlines have been following the regulations set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand [CAAT] and the International Air Transport Association [IATA].

“All passengers on board are required to wear a facemask at all times, provide a certificate of vaccination and/or test result as required by the authorities at the destination and maintain a distance from each other,” he said.

“The airlines have fitted their aircraft with a state-of-the-art filtration system and are required to regularly disinfect the planes to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew. No food or beverage will be served except in cases of emergency.”

Puttipong also cited IATA’s latest announcement saying that aircraft cabins create a very low-risk environment for contracting Covid-19 even though Omicron is more transmissible.

“According to IATA’s medical adviser Dr David Powell, factors that contribute to the low risk include aircraft design characteristics [direction of airflow, rate of air exchange and filtration], the forward orientation of passengers while seated, well-enforced masking and enhanced sanitary measures. The controlled nature of the aircraft cabin compared to other enclosed environments adds a further measure of protection,” Puttipong added.

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Published : December 25, 2021

By : THE NATION

CAAT instructs airlines to prevent crowds at airports

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The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Friday issued a special “Notice to Airmen” warning airlines to prevent crowds from being formed at airports.

CAAT instructs airlines to prevent crowds at airports

Airlines have been instructed to hand out entry documents and other forms to passengers and have them filled out before the flight lands. This will ensure a smooth flow of passengers at terminals and curb the spread of Covid-19.

CAAT said it was implementing these new rules because many foreign visitors are entering the country with a Thailand Pass that was issued before Wednesday.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) suspended Thailand Pass registrations as of midnight on Wednesday and will review the situation again on January 4. However, some 200,000 people already hold a Thailand Pass and can enter the country.

Apart from entry documents, passengers also need to fill a consent form agreeing to take the mandatory RT-PCR test upon arrival and on the fifth or sixth day of their stay in Thailand. The second test will be provided for free at designated public or private hospitals.

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Published : December 25, 2021

By : THE NATION