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INCOSE International Symposium

An Evaluation of Security Standards Implementation in Quantum Key Distribution Systems

Carole A Harper, Michael R. Grimaila, Gerald Baumgartner

Published Jun 1, 2013• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems combine cryptographic primitives with quantum information theory to produce a theoretic unconditionally secure cryptographic key. However, real‐world implementations of QKD systems are far from ideal and significantly differ from the theoretic models. Because of this real‐world QKD systems require additional practical considerations when implemented to achieve secure operations. In this paper, a content analysis of the published literature is conducted to determine if established security and cryptographic standards are addressed in real world, practical QKD implementations. The research reveals that a majority of real world QKD implementations examined do not take advantage of established security and cryptographic standards. Based upon an analysis of existing industry security and cryptographic standards and best practices, systems architecture guidelines are used to make recommendations for how these standards can and should be applied to establish a practical, secure, QKD system framework.

DOI
10.1002/j.2334-5837.2013.tb03100.x

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Abstract Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems combine cryptographic primitives with quantum information theory to produce a theoretic unconditionally secure cryptographic key. However, real‐world implementations of QKD systems are far from ideal and significantly differ from the theoretic models. Because of this real‐world QKD systems require additional practical considerations when implemented to achieve secure operations. In this paper, a content analysis of the published literature is conducted to determine if established security and cryptographic standards are addressed in real world, practical QKD implementations. The research reveals that a majority of real world QKD implementations examined do not take advantage of established security and cryptographic standards. Based upon an analysis of existing industry security and cryptographic standards and best practices, systems architecture guidelines are used to make recommendations for how these standards can and should be applied to establish a practical, secure, QKD system framework.
Abstract : Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems combine cryptographic primitives with quantum information theory to produce a theoretic unconditionally secure cryptographic key. However, real-world implementations of QKD systems are far from ideal and differ significantly from the theoretic model. Because of this, real-world QKD systems require additional practical considerations when implemented to achieve secure operations. In this thesis, a content analysis of the published literature is conducted to determine if established security and cryptographic standards and best practices are addressed in real world, practical QKD implementations. The research reveals that most published, real world QKD implementations do not take advantage of established security and cryptographic standards and best practices. Based upon an analysis of existing security and cryptographic standards and best practices, systems architecture methodology is used to make recommendations as to how these standards can and should be applied to establish a practical, secure, QKD system framework.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) exploits the laws of quantum physics to generate shared secret cryptographic keys and can detect eavesdroppers during the key generation process. However, previous QKD research has focused more on theory than practice. QKD is the most mature application of the quantum information field, offering the means for two parties to generate secure cryptographic keying material. Employing the laws of quantum physics, QKD can detect eavesdroppers during the key generation process, in which unauthorized observation of quantum communication induces discernible errors. However, QKD is a nascent technology where real-world systems are constructed from nonideal components and deployed in uncertain operational environments, which can adversely impact system security and performance. In this article, we study the performance impact of QKD implementation nonidealities and practical engineering limitations, evaluating three system examples using a modularized simulation framework. We also explore the QKD security–performance trade space to gain additional understanding of critical design tradeoffs associated with interactions between physical components and system-level considerations such as hardware, software, and protocols. Such evaluations provide insight and inform designers, researchers, and users when selecting among competing solutions; decision makers can also use them to guide future investments and developmental efforts. Our research team focuses on bridging the gap between QKD theory and practice. Theoretical and experimental physicists are working to advance QKD technology, but few are strongly focused on evaluating and improving the implementation of realized systems. For a general introduction to QKD, see Chip Elliot’s “Quantum Cryptography.”
The rise of quantum computing poses a grave threat to current cryptographic methods. While Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a potential solution, guaranteeing its security in real-world implementations remains challenging. This paper addresses the critical need for robust Quantum Encryption algorithms, emphasizing the importance of standardized evaluation criteria and it explores the limitations of existing evaluation methods, highlighting their shortcomings in comprehensively assessing security against both classical and quantum attacks. Furthermore, a comprehensive framework for evaluating and standardizing Quantum Encryption algorithms is proposed. This framework encompasses not only the algorithm itself but also the security of the generated key. By incorporating a broader range of attack scenarios, theoretical considerations, and key-specific criteria, this framework aims to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of communication in the quantum age.This research is believed to make a significant contribution to the development of secure and standardized Quantum Encryption algorithms. The goal is to safeguard critical information infrastructure against evolving threats. Existing works have placed a strong emphasis on standardizing QKD (Quantum Key Distribution). However, the evaluation of the effectiveness of quantum encryption algorithms lacks the same level of standardization. This gap serves as the motivation behind this work.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is currently being discussed as a technology to safeguard communication in a future where quantum computers compromise traditional public-key cryptosystems. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive security evaluation of QKD-based solutions, focusing on real-world use cases sourced from academic literature and industry reports. We analyze these use cases, assess their security and identify the possible advantages of deploying QKD-based solutions. We further compare QKD-based solutions with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), the alternative approach to achieving security when quantum computers compromise traditional public-key cryptosystems, evaluating their respective suitability for each scenario. Based on this comparative analysis, we critically discuss and comment on which use cases QKD is suited for, considering factors such as implementation complexity, scalability, and long-term security. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the role QKD could play in future cryptographic infrastructures and offer guidance to decision-makers considering the deployment of QKD.
This article presents the background, development, and implementation of a simulation framework used to model the quantum exchange aspects of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. The presentation of our simulation framework is novel from several perspectives, one of which is the lack of published information in this area. QKD is an innovative technology which exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to generate and distribute unconditionally secure cryptographic keys. While QKD offers the promise of unconditionally secure key distribution, real world systems are built from non-ideal components which necessitates the need to understand the impact these non-idealities have on system performance and security. To study these non-idealities we present the development of a quantum communications modeling and simulation capability. This required a suitable mathematical representation of quantum optical pulses and optical component transforms. Furthermore, we discuss how these models are implemented within our Discrete Event Simulation-based framework and show how it is used to study a variety of QKD implementations.