Quantum Key Distribution using Different Techniques and Algorithms

Ivan B. Djordjević

Bindu Madavi K P, Krishna Sowjanya K, Neha Patwari +1 more

Cybersecurity attacks are rising day by day due to the explosive growth of the internet. Many encryption techniques and authentication mechanisms also came into existence to avoid or minimize cybersecurity attacks. However, these traditional encryption algorithms are facing new challenges because of quantum computers. Due to their high computational capacity, quantum computers will be able to decipher the messages which are encrypted by the encryption algorithms. To guard against these sophisticated cyber attacks, the Quantum-Key Distribution (QKD) protocol and the Time-Released Encryption(TRE) algorithms are becoming popular. The paper proposes a Time-Based Quantum Key Distribution Protocol (TB-QKD), that enables a secure key exchange and decryption process between two trusted parties on an arbitrary time. The proposed TB-QKD protocol allows the sender and receiver to share the keys securely through the quantum channel with the help of QKD protocol. The algorithm encryption and decryption times for different messages have been observed and presented. Moreover, this protocol also provides a suitable solution that addresses many vulnerabilities that occur in the domain of data security and confidentiality.

Masahiro Takeoka

Mritunjay Shall Peelam, Siva Sai, Vinay Chamola

Key distribution techniques are indispensable for maintaining privacy, preventing unauthorized access, and safeguarding sensitive data in consumer electronics networks. Several recent research works focused on developing conventional key distribution protocols for consumer electronics networks. However, conventional key distribution algorithms face several limitations in consumer electronic networks, like key management complexity, key storage issues, and cost and resource constraints with increasing consumer electronic devices. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) techniques overcome the limitations of conventional key distribution techniques and have several advantages, such as eavesdropping detection, intercept-resend attack resilience, trusted party independence, etc. Despite such advantages, no research has explored the potential of QKD techniques in consumer electronics networks. Addressing this research gap, in this work, we conduct a comparative analysis between QKD techniques like BB84, BB92, and E91 and conventional key distribution techniques with a broad evaluation framework that includes metrics including key generation rate, error rate, security level, and time complexity. We have also analyzed the QKD algorithms regarding several resource usage parameters like CPU, memory, disk space, and network usage. We also examine the principles, advantages, limitations, and applicability of securing Web transactions in consumer electronics networks.

Ignazio Pedone, Andrea Atzeni, Daniele Canavese +1 more

The coming advent of Quantum Computing promises to jeopardize current communications security, undermining the effectiveness of traditional public-key based cryptography. Different strategies (Post-Quantum or Quantum Cryptography) have been proposed to address this problem. Many techniques and algorithms based on quantum phenomena have been presented in recent years; the most relevant example is the introduction of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). This approach allows to exchange cryptographic keys among parties and does not suffer from the development of quantum computation. Problems arise when this technique has to be deployed and combined with modern distributed infrastructures that heavily depend on cloud and virtualisation paradigms. This paper addresses the issue by presenting a new software stack that effortlessly introduces QKD in such environments. This software stack allows for agnostic integration, monitoring, and management of QKD, independent from a specific vendor or technology. Furthermore, a QKD simulator is presented, designed, and tested. This latter contribution is suitable as a low-level testing device, as an independent software module to check QKD protocols, and as a testbed to identify future practical enhancements.

Mandeep Kumar, Bhaskar Mondal