International Conference on Computer and Communication Engineering
A secure protocol using 6DP for quantum authentication and hash functions for key distribution (KDP-6DP)
Khalid A. Saeed Al-Khateeb, Magdy M. Saeb, Mohammed Munther A. Majeed, Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin
Abstract
Security is the most tedious problem in highly sensitive communications. Quantum security is the key issue in solving the problem. A key distribution protocol based on the use of hash functions is proposed. The essential part of the protocol depends on sending a string of random characters from sender to receiver. Then, a selected hash or a cascade of two hash functions and a long-term shared secret are used to construct the key. Consequently, the session key is generated on-site by independently applying a hash function on the random string at the sender and receiver sides. However, this protocol requires a reliable method of authentication. Therefore, it is further proposed to use an out-of-band authentication methodology based on the deterministic six-state quantum protocol that is referred to as 6DP.