Network-centric quantum communications (NQC) - a new, scalable instantiation of quantum cryptography providing key management with forward security for lightweight encryption, authentication and digital signatures in optical networks – is briefly described.
Network-centric quantum communications (NQC) - a new, scalable instantiation of quantum cryptography providing key management with forward security for lightweight encryption, authentication and digital signatures in optical networks - is briefly described. Results from a multi-node experimental test-bed utilizing integrated photonics quantum communications components, known as QKarDs, include: quantum identification; verifiable quantum secret sharing; multi-party authenticated key establishment, including group keying; and single-fiber quantum-secured communications that can be applied as a security retrofit/upgrade to existing optical fiber installations. A demonstration that NQC meets the challenging simultaneous latency and security requirements of electric grid control communications, which cannot be met without compromises using conventional cryptography, is described.
Cybertwin-driven-based network architecture for sixth generation (6G) is a new cloud-centric network architecture, which was put forward to address challenges of 6G, such as scalability, security, mobility, and availability. As more and more users’ data are obtained and converted into other digital asset by the cybertwin, relevant techniques of data management to enhance privacy and security becomes a key challenge for Cybertwin-driven 6G. The double authentication preventing ring signature (DAPRS) is a cryptographic primitive that meets requirements of authenticity, anonymity of users’ private data, and linkability of users’ misbehavior, so it is suitable for monitoring behaviors of risky users. In this article, we propose a post-quantum secure ring signature to enhance security and privacy in Cybertwin-driven 6G (PRSG). In the PRSG, we first put forward an accumulator based on a chameleon hash function that allows to efficiently prove knowledge of an accumulated value. Then, we construct a DAPRS based on the accumulator and the zero-knowledge argument of knowledge. Finally, we present how to use the DAPRS to build a secure and efficient privacy-preserving scheme in the Cybertwin-driven 6G. Security proof shows that this scheme achieves anonymity, unforgeability, as well as double signature extractability. Also, we make some security analysis and performance evaluation to demonstrate that the PRSG has low communication complexity, high performance, and privacy preservation in the cybertwin-driven 6G.
Quantum technologies have the potential to improve in an unprecedented way the security and efficiency of communications in network infrastructures. We discuss the current landscape in quantum communication and cryptography, and focus in particular on recent photonic implementations, using encoding in discrete or continuous properties of light, of central quantum network protocols, enabling secret key distribution, verification of multiparty entanglement and transactions of quantum money, with security guarantees impossible to achieve with only classical resources. We also describe current challenges in this field and our efforts towards the miniaturization of the developed photonic systems, their integration into telecommunication network infrastructures, including with satellite links, as well as the practical demonstration of novel protocols featuring a quantum advantage for a wide range of tasks. These advances enrich the resources and applications of the emerging quantum networks that will play a central role in the context of future global-scale quantum-safe communications.
The integration of consumer-centric digital twin (CCDT) technology is set to transform healthcare systems, enabling blockchain-based solutions for enhanced medical services. By precisely simulating patients and medical processes, CCDT establish a link to the virtual healthcare environment, supporting improved diagnosis, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics. Blockchain technology is critical in connecting the physical and virtual health care worlds, providing secure storage, efficient communication, reduced computational costs, and reliable hosting services. However, the security of patient data and its digital twin counterpart stored on the blockchain remains a potential vulnerability, as any alteration or unauthorized access to this information could pose significant risks. To address this challenge, we propose a blockchain-enabled quantum encryption protocol for CCDT healthcare networks to ensure secure communication. The proposed protocol leverages blockchain to authenticate patients without relying on third-party entities. At the same time, a secure quantum encryption mechanism ensures that CCDT do not need to authenticate repeatedly when interacting with multiple healthcare providers. A performance evaluation demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed scheme compared to existing encryption methods. The results indicate that the suggested protocol is resilient against various security threats, showcasing its significant potential for enhancing communication security within CCDT healthcare networks.
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) provides the essential cryptographic algorithms needed to secure digital networking systems against future adversaries equipped with quantum computing. This paper reviews the PQC research landscape and identifies open challenges and future directions for the critical transition to PQC in digital networking systems. Building on the NIST standardization process which has hardened the PQC cipher algorithm security, this paper analyzes and describes the recent research on PQC implementations and integrations into scalable and standardized networking systems (Internet, web and cellular networks). We review research on the security, side-channel threats, performances, overheads, and compatibility of PQC ciphers. We also study the research incorporating PQC into the standardized web and cellular networking protocols, ranging from testing the PQC feasibility to proposing protocol solutions and mechanisms to enable PQC. Our study highlights the PQC challenge of large parameter sizes, common across the PQC cipher algorithms, and the research proposing protocol- and system-level mechanisms to address them. Informed by the survey, this paper identifies and highlights the research gaps and future directions to facilitate further research and development for PQC and to secure next-generation digital networking systems.