Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1004.0605

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Commodity Security Protocols: Introduction and Integration

Alan Mink, Sheila E. Frankel, Ray A. Perlner

Published Jul 31, 2009• 41 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We present an overview of quantum key distribution (QKD), a secure key exchange method based on the quantum laws of physics rather than computational complexity. We also provide an overview of the two most widely used commodity security protocols, IPsec and TLS. Pursuing a key exchange model, we propose how QKD could be integrated into these security applications. For such a QKD integration we propose a support layer that provides a set of common QKD services between the QKD protocol and the security applications.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1004.0605

Related papers

Overview of Quantum Key Distribution Technique within IPsec Architecture

Emir Dervisevic, Miralem Mehić

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an approach for establishing symmetrical binary keys between distant users in an information-theoretically secure way. In this paper we provide an overview of existing solutions that integrate QKD within the most popular architecture for establishing secure communications in modern IP (Internet Protocol) networks - IPsec (Internet Protocol security). The provided overview can be used to further design the integration of QKD within the IPsec architecture striving for a standardized solution.

arXiv:2112.13105•Dec 24, 2021•8 citations

QKD-TLS Integration Model for End-to-End Secure Communication

Jeongyun Kim, Taesang Choi, Sang-kil Park

An integration of Quantum Key Distribution and Transport Layer Security is an important research area aimed at addressing the vulnerabilities of traditional cryptographic systems posed by the advancement of quantum computing. QKD leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to provide absolute security, while TLS is a widely used protocol that ensures the confidentiality and integrity of internet communications, offering end-to-end security. The combination of these two technologies is considered a method to enhance TLS by incorporating QKD-generated keys, thereby mitigating potential security risks arising from quantum computing. This paper proposes the QKD-TLS integration models that can support end-to-end secure communication.

International Conference on Information and Communication Technology Convergence (ICTC)•Oct 14, 2025•0 citations

Improving TLS Security By Quantum Cryptography

Mohamed Elboukhari, Mostafa Azizi, Abdelmalek Azizi

Quantum Cryptography or Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) solves the key distribution problem by allowing the exchange of a cryptographic key between two remote parties with absolute security, guaranteed by the laws of quantum physics.Extensive studies have been undertaken on QKD since it was noted that quantum computers could break public key cryptosystems based on number theory.Actually, the progress of research in this field allows the implementation of QKD outside of laboratories.Efforts are made to exploit this technology in the existing communication networks and to improve the performance and reliability of the implemented technologies.Some research is in progress for the integration of QKD with the protocols in different layers of OSI model.The examples of such research effort are the integration of QKD in point-to-point protocol (PPP) OSI layer 2 and the integration of QKD with IPSEC at OSI layer-3.All these works are moving towards the utilization of QKD technology for enhancing the security of modern computing applications on the internet.In this paper, we present a novel extension of the TLS protocol based on QKD.We introduce a scheme for integrating Quantum Cryptography in this protocol.Our approach improves the security of the process of authentication and data encryption.Also, we describe an example to illustrate the feasibility of our scheme's implementation.

International Journal of Network Security & Its Applications•Jul 9, 2010•7 citations

Integration of Quantum Key Distribution in the SSL/TLS handshake protocol

Nicola Laurenti, Nicola Tommasi

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology, based on the quantum laws of physics, rather than the assumed computation complexity of mathematical problems, to generate and distribute provably secure cipher keys over unsecured channels. It does this using single photon technology and can detect potential eavesdropping via the quantum bit error rates of the quantum channel

•Sep 30, 2013•0 citations

Schemes of IPsec integrated with quantum key distribution

Chun-Hui 春辉 Zhang 张, Wen-Xuan Zhang, Xing-Yu Zhou +4 more

Abstract With the rapid advancement of quantum computing, traditional security protocols based on classical encryption algorithms are increasingly vulnerable to potential quantum attacks. The current IPsec protocol, which relies on classical cryptographic methods, is insufficient to withstand such threats, thereby compromising the security of long-term data transmission. To address this issue, we propose integrating quantum key distribution (QKD) into the internet protocol security (IPsec) protocol, thereby enhancing its resilience against quantum computing attacks. Here, two schemes that merge QKD-generated keys with classical cryptographic keys are designed to enhance both security and stability. Furthermore, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of various QKD protocols implemented with the scheme, along with an assessment of its overall efficacy across a topological network configuration. This approach not only ensures secure data transmission in the era of quantum computing but also highlights the potential application value of integrating QKD with IPsec, providing valuable insights for the design and implementation of future quantum-secure communication systems.

Chinese Physics B•Jan 4, 2026•0 citations

IPSeQ: A Security-Enhanced IPSec Protocol Integrated with Quantum Key Distribution

Xumin Gao, Kaiping Xue, Jian Li +5 more

IPSec is a widely used network security protocol that plays a crucial role in providing secure transmission channels in the current Internet. However, the advent of quantum computing poses unprecedented challenges to the security of traditional cryptographic methods, including those used in IPSec. Fortunately, quantum key distribution (QKD) offers a theoretically unbreakable method for exchanging keys between two communicating parties. To address the security threats posed by quantum computing, we propose IPSeQ, a security-enhanced IPSec protocol that integrates QKD into its design. Specifically, IPSeQ leverages quantum keys to strengthen key negotiation, authentication, and data encryption processes. To achieve rapid key updates while ensuring transmission efficiency and key synchronization, IPSeQ introduces a sliding window-based dynamic key updating mechanism. Experiments conducted with real QKD devices demonstrate that our proposed mechanism can improve throughput by more than 50 percent compared to traditional schemes, particularly at higher quantum key generation rates. Additionally, IPSeQ effectively maintains robust data transmission in scenarios where quantum keys are scarce (e.g., when the key generation rate is less than 10 kb/s).

IEEE Communications Magazine•Mar 12, 2025•7 citations
We present an overview of quantum key distribution (QKD), a secure key exchange method based on the quantum laws of physics rather than computational complexity. We also provide an overview of the two most widely used commodity security protocols, IPsec and TLS. Pursuing a key exchange model, we propose how QKD could be integrated into these security applications. For such a QKD integration we propose a support layer that provides a set of common QKD services between the QKD protocol and the security applications.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an approach for establishing symmetrical binary keys between distant users in an information-theoretically secure way. In this paper we provide an overview of existing solutions that integrate QKD within the most popular architecture for establishing secure communications in modern IP (Internet Protocol) networks - IPsec (Internet Protocol security). The provided overview can be used to further design the integration of QKD within the IPsec architecture striving for a standardized solution.
An integration of Quantum Key Distribution and Transport Layer Security is an important research area aimed at addressing the vulnerabilities of traditional cryptographic systems posed by the advancement of quantum computing. QKD leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to provide absolute security, while TLS is a widely used protocol that ensures the confidentiality and integrity of internet communications, offering end-to-end security. The combination of these two technologies is considered a method to enhance TLS by incorporating QKD-generated keys, thereby mitigating potential security risks arising from quantum computing. This paper proposes the QKD-TLS integration models that can support end-to-end secure communication.
Quantum Cryptography or Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) solves the key distribution problem by allowing the exchange of a cryptographic key between two remote parties with absolute security, guaranteed by the laws of quantum physics.Extensive studies have been undertaken on QKD since it was noted that quantum computers could break public key cryptosystems based on number theory.Actually, the progress of research in this field allows the implementation of QKD outside of laboratories.Efforts are made to exploit this technology in the existing communication networks and to improve the performance and reliability of the implemented technologies.Some research is in progress for the integration of QKD with the protocols in different layers of OSI model.The examples of such research effort are the integration of QKD in point-to-point protocol (PPP) OSI layer 2 and the integration of QKD with IPSEC at OSI layer-3.All these works are moving towards the utilization of QKD technology for enhancing the security of modern computing applications on the internet.In this paper, we present a novel extension of the TLS protocol based on QKD.We introduce a scheme for integrating Quantum Cryptography in this protocol.Our approach improves the security of the process of authentication and data encryption.Also, we describe an example to illustrate the feasibility of our scheme's implementation.
Abstract With the rapid advancement of quantum computing, traditional security protocols based on classical encryption algorithms are increasingly vulnerable to potential quantum attacks. The current IPsec protocol, which relies on classical cryptographic methods, is insufficient to withstand such threats, thereby compromising the security of long-term data transmission. To address this issue, we propose integrating quantum key distribution (QKD) into the internet protocol security (IPsec) protocol, thereby enhancing its resilience against quantum computing attacks. Here, two schemes that merge QKD-generated keys with classical cryptographic keys are designed to enhance both security and stability. Furthermore, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of various QKD protocols implemented with the scheme, along with an assessment of its overall efficacy across a topological network configuration. This approach not only ensures secure data transmission in the era of quantum computing but also highlights the potential application value of integrating QKD with IPsec, providing valuable insights for the design and implementation of future quantum-secure communication systems.
IPSec is a widely used network security protocol that plays a crucial role in providing secure transmission channels in the current Internet. However, the advent of quantum computing poses unprecedented challenges to the security of traditional cryptographic methods, including those used in IPSec. Fortunately, quantum key distribution (QKD) offers a theoretically unbreakable method for exchanging keys between two communicating parties. To address the security threats posed by quantum computing, we propose IPSeQ, a security-enhanced IPSec protocol that integrates QKD into its design. Specifically, IPSeQ leverages quantum keys to strengthen key negotiation, authentication, and data encryption processes. To achieve rapid key updates while ensuring transmission efficiency and key synchronization, IPSeQ introduces a sliding window-based dynamic key updating mechanism. Experiments conducted with real QKD devices demonstrate that our proposed mechanism can improve throughput by more than 50 percent compared to traditional schemes, particularly at higher quantum key generation rates. Additionally, IPSeQ effectively maintains robust data transmission in scenarios where quantum keys are scarce (e.g., when the key generation rate is less than 10 kb/s).