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International journal of network security

Highly Secure Network Switches with Quantum Key Distribution Systems

Mikio Fujiwara, T. Domeki, Shiho Moriai, Masahide Sasaki

Published Jan 1, 2015• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We have developed network ＂switches＂ with security enhanced by ＂quantum key distribution (QKD) systems＂. In a Layer 2 ＂switch＂, media access control (MAC) ad-dresses are encrypted to prevent unauthorized access from internal network. After an initial authentication, common random key bits are shared between the Layer 2 ＂switch＂ and users. MAC addresses are encrypted with shared key at every packet. In Layer 3, secure keys from a ＂QKD sys-tem＂ are used in the Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC) protocol for encrypting a payload in one-time pad, and also for extracting a message digest for unconditionally secure message authentication. In this way, network security can be effectively enhanced by QKD in an IP compatible manner.

DOI
10.6633/ijns.201501.17(1).05

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We have developed network ＂switches＂ with security enhanced by ＂quantum key distribution (QKD) systems＂. In a Layer 2 ＂switch＂, media access control (MAC) ad-dresses are encrypted to prevent unauthorized access from internal network. After an initial authentication, common random key bits are shared between the Layer 2 ＂switch＂ and users. MAC addresses are encrypted with shared key at every packet. In Layer 3, secure keys from a ＂QKD sys-tem＂ are used in the Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC) protocol for encrypting a payload in one-time pad, and also for extracting a message digest for unconditionally secure message authentication. In this way, network security can be effectively enhanced by QKD in an IP compatible manner.
Secure communication and information protection become more and more important in the modern society. Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables two remote legitimate users to share unconditionally secure keys. Different from the former ones, the security of these keys is based on the principles of quantum physics and could be proved. Combined with one-time pad encryption, QKD can provide us an effective way for secure communication and information protection[1, 2]. Since Bennett and Brassard proposed the famous BB84 protocol[3], QKD or quantum cryptography has become one of the most dynamic research fields. After about twenty years of development, experimental QKD has achieved significant improvements, such as the transmission distance increased from 32 cm[4]to 260 km[5], the speed increased from 200 Hz[4]to 10 GHz[6].
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an approach for establishing symmetrical binary keys between distant users in an information-theoretically secure way. In this paper we provide an overview of existing solutions that integrate QKD within the most popular architecture for establishing secure communications in modern IP (Internet Protocol) networks - IPsec (Internet Protocol security). The provided overview can be used to further design the integration of QKD within the IPsec architecture striving for a standardized solution.
Secure networks composed of optical networks and quantum key distribution (QKD) are considered in this paper. A network layer structure is defined to focus on issues important with respect to the QKD network layer that controls QKD links and supplies a secure key for message transmission. A multiple-user QKD network layer can be constructed with timing synchronization, secure key sharing between indirectly connected nodes with switched QKD systems and key relays, and key management to control the volume of key generation and supply in response to the demand from optical network nodes.
IPSec is a widely used network security protocol that plays a crucial role in providing secure transmission channels in the current Internet. However, the advent of quantum computing poses unprecedented challenges to the security of traditional cryptographic methods, including those used in IPSec. Fortunately, quantum key distribution (QKD) offers a theoretically unbreakable method for exchanging keys between two communicating parties. To address the security threats posed by quantum computing, we propose IPSeQ, a security-enhanced IPSec protocol that integrates QKD into its design. Specifically, IPSeQ leverages quantum keys to strengthen key negotiation, authentication, and data encryption processes. To achieve rapid key updates while ensuring transmission efficiency and key synchronization, IPSeQ introduces a sliding window-based dynamic key updating mechanism. Experiments conducted with real QKD devices demonstrate that our proposed mechanism can improve throughput by more than 50 percent compared to traditional schemes, particularly at higher quantum key generation rates. Additionally, IPSeQ effectively maintains robust data transmission in scenarios where quantum keys are scarce (e.g., when the key generation rate is less than 10 kb/s).
Quantum secure communication technology, grounded in the principles of quantum mechanics, has revolutionized traditional cryptographic methods, which predominantly rely on mathematical algorithms and logical transformations. Quantum key distribution (QKD) facilitates the secure sharing of symmetric keys between legitimate parties, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of information in communication channels. Among various QKD schemes, continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) has emerged as a viable alternative to the more established discrete variable quantum key distribution (DV-QKD). CV-QKD boasts several advantages, including straightforward deployment, reduced operational costs, and stable signal quality, positioning it as a significant component of the quantum communication landscape. Quantum noise stream cipher (QNSC) represents a technique that employs redundant data streams to encrypt plaintext. Notably, QNSC shares structural similarities with the optical path used in quantum key distribution, allowing for compatibility with existing QKD infrastructure. Furthermore, the keys generated through quantum key distribution ensure absolute security, enabling them to substitute the data streams produced by pseudo-random sequences traditionally used in classical encryption schemes. This substitution enhances the overall security framework of the quantum noise stream encryption approach. The quantum access network (QAN) extends quantum key distribution capabilities from point-to-point connections to point-to-multipoint configurations, thereby becoming an essential component of contemporary network architectures. By interlinking multiple end users with a network backbone, quantum access networks can seamlessly integrate with quantum key distribution protocols. This integration offers a cost-effective and scalable solution for user access to the network. Extensive experimental verifications have demonstrated the viability of downstream access networks, indicating that the merging of quantum access network structures with quantum stream encryption technologies can yield a comprehensive quantum experimental platform. On this platform, security keys are derived through quantum key distribution, which subsequently facilitates the encryption of plaintext information. Notably, experimental validations involving eight users have been successfully executed on this platform, underscoring its practical applicability and effectiveness.