The development of automated gate specification for quantum communications and quantum networked computation opens up the way for malware designed at corrupting the automation software, changing the automated quantum communications protocols and algorithms. We study two types of attacks on automated quantum communications protocols and simulate these attacks on the superdense coding protocol, using remote access to IBM's Quantum Computers available through IBM Q Experience to simulate these attacks on what would be a low noise quantum communications network. The first type of attack leads to a hacker-controlled bijective transformation of the final measured strings, the second type of attack is a unitary scrambling attack that modifies the automated gate specification to effectively scramble the final measurement, disrupting quantum communications and taking advantage of quantum randomness upon measurement in a way that makes it difficult to distinguish from hardware malfunction or from a sudden rise in environmental noise. We show that, due to quantum entanglement and symmetries, the second type of attack works as a way to strategically disrupt quantum communications networks and quantum networked computation in a way that makes it difficult to ascertain which node was attacked. The main findings are discussed in the wider setting of quantum cybersecurity and quantum networked computation, where ways of hacking including the role of insider threats are discussed.
The development of automated gate specification for quantum communications and quantum networked computation opens up the way for malware designed at corrupting the automation software, changing the automated quantum communications protocols and algorithms. We study two types of attacks on automated quantum communications protocols and simulate these attacks on the superdense coding protocol, using remote access to IBM's Quantum Computers available through IBM Q Experience to simulate these attacks on what would be a low noise quantum communications network. The first type of attack leads to a hacker-controlled bijective transformation of the final measured strings, the second type of attack is a unitary scrambling attack that modifies the automated gate specification to effectively scramble the final measurement, disrupting quantum communications and taking advantage of quantum randomness upon measurement in a way that makes it difficult to distinguish from hardware malfunction or from a sudden rise in environmental noise. We show that, due to quantum entanglement and symmetries, the second type of attack works as a way to strategically disrupt quantum communications networks and quantum networked computation in a way that makes it difficult to ascertain which node was attacked. The main findings are discussed in the wider setting of quantum cybersecurity and quantum networked computation, where ways of hacking including the role of insider threats are discussed.
Quantum superdense coding protocol is addressed in the literature as a promising approach for efficient quantum communication. It allows two parties, to transmit classical bits using quantum bits. However, its security is threatened by a scrambling attack that involves modifying the automated gate specification to effectively scramble the final measurement, and by a bijection attack that performs a bijective transformation on the final measured strings. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to preventing such attacks by introducing decoy qubits into the superdense coding protocol, which act as a source of randomness that can detect any tampering with the entangled states and enable the detection of an eavesdropper. To strategize the selection and sending of these decoy qubits and address the interaction between the sender, receiver, and eavesdropper, we propose a dynamic non-cooperative game-based approach evaluated with a Q-learning algorithm to model and analyze this problem as a benefit-cost model. The utility functions of the proposed game are based on the concepts of return on protection, which illustrates the gain of selecting and sending a decoy qubit, and return on attack, which illustrates the reward of the eavesdropper for performing an attack to compromise the communication. Moreover, we discuss and analyze the Nash equilibrium convergence of this attack-defense model. Finally, we perform simulation work using a Q-learning algorithm to show the effectiveness of the proposed model in assessing the behavior of the players and its ability to reach equilibrium within a finite number of steps.
In quantum information theory, superdense coding allows two network entities to exchange two classical bits via a quantum channel using a single quantum bit (qubit) transmission, provided they have pre-shared an entangled qubit. An attacker intercepting the qubit during transmission cannot extract meaningful data without the other entangled qubit from the pair. However, an attacker can disrupt the communication by introducing its own qubit to the receiver. To enhance the security of superdense coding, we propose an authentication mechanism through a classical communication channel.
With rising cyberattack frequency and range, Quantum Computing companies, institutions and research groups may become targets of nation-state actors, cybercriminals and hacktivists for sabotage, espionage and fiscal motivations as the Quantum computing race intensifies. Quantum applications have expanded into commercial, classical information systems and services approaching the necessity to protect their networks, software, hardware and data from digital attacks. This paper discusses the status quo of quantum computing technologies and the quantum threat associated with it. We proceed to outline threat vectors for quantum computing systems and the respective defensive measures, mitigations and best practices to defend against the rapidly evolving threat landscape. We subsequently propose recommendations on how to proactively reduce the cyberattack surface through threat intelligence and by ensuring security by design of quantum software and hardware components.
Abstract The superdense coding protocol is essential for quantum communication, allowing more efficient data transmission. This protocol facilitates the transfer of two bits of classical information using just one qubit by leveraging a pre-existing pair of Bell states. To achieve this capability, traditional implementations of superdense coding depend on entangled states, such as Bell states. This paper introduces a novel circuit that utilizes Bell diagonal states to implement the superdense coding protocol. We provide detailed instructions for the procedure using IBM’s Quantum Computing Lab, enabling practical applications in real-world contexts. Furthermore, the paper highlights the security features of this protocol, emphasizing its significance for secure communication in quantum networks. The combination of efficiency and security represents a notable advancement in quantum information science. We implemented and tested the proposed superdense coding circuit on the IBM Q quantum computing platform using Qiskit. Through extensive simulations on IBM’s Statevector and QASM simulators, we assessed the performance of the circuit based on Bell diagonal states (BDS)in terms of accuracy, noise resilience, and resource efficiency. Our findings indicate that, while Bell diagonal states pose challenges related to noise and decoherence, they also provide potential advantages in reducing qubit usage and enhancing error correction. This research contributes to the exploration of alternative techniques for superdense coding, which may have applications in quantum communication and future quantum networks. However, additional theoretical and experimental investigations are necessary to fully evaluate the scalability and practicality of this approach.
Quantum computing is fundamentally transforming the cybersecurity landscape by simultaneously introducing robust defense mechanisms and sophisticated attack vectors. This paper explores the dual nature of quantum computing in cybersecurity, examining how it enhances artificial intelligence-powered malware detection systems and strengthens encryption protocols, while also enabling the development of adaptive quantum-enhanced threats such as polymorphic malware and quantum key distribution attacks. Additionally, the paper analyzes the convergence of quantum computing with Large Language Models (LLMs) and neural networks, highlighting implications for threat intelligence across social media platforms, cybersecurity operations, and open-source intelligence. Through comprehensive analysis and the proposition of quantum-resilient security frameworks, this research provides cybersecurity professionals with actionable strategies for navigating the emerging quantum computing era.
In this research notebook on quantum computation and quantum communication protocol for quantum engineers, researchers, and scientists, we will discuss and summarize the practical challenges of implementing quantum computing algorithms and quantum communication protocols in today's real-world hardware systems. We will begin the discussion about the noise and its effect on quantum coherence and the mathematical models to represent the impact of noise on the physical systems. Furthermore, we will discuss the basic concepts of noise that practically limit quantum computation and quantum communication. We will discuss several mathematical methods to characterize, model, and represent the practical impact of noise. Next, we will discuss how photon loss impacts quantum communication protocols. We will summarize the current physical limitations and challenges facing quantum computation and quantum communication over optical fiber. We will also discuss technology options that can mitigate or eliminate the physical limitations for realizing quantum computation and quantum communication protocol. Later we will consider the methods being developed to mitigate such losses in larger-scale communication systems. We will investigate the current limitations of quantum computing algorithms and the need to develop near-term practical applications that can be successfully performed on noisy qubits. We will also review the challenges associated with implementing algorithms on the relatively noisy, intermediate-scale qubits used in today's technology domain. Finally, we will investigate how to benchmark qubits and quantum gates in the presence of noise. We will discuss several methods to benchmark quantum states and quantum gates and finally implement benchmarking of qubits in a real physical quantum computer on the IBM Q Experience.