IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering
A Generic Simulation Framework for Non-Entangled based Experimental Quantum Cryptography and Communication: Quantum Cryptography and Communication Simulator (QuCCs)
Abudhahir Buhari, Zuriati Ahmad Zukarnain, Roszelinda Khalid, Wira Jaafar Ahmad Zakir Dato'
Abstract The applications of quantum information science move towards bigger and better heights for the next generation technology. Especially, in the field of quantum cryptography and quantum computation, the world already witnessed various ground-breaking tangible product and promising results. Quantum cryptography is one of the mature field from quantum mechanics and already available in the markets. The current state of quantum cryptography is still under various researches in order to reach the heights of digital cryptography. The complexity of quantum cryptography is higher due to combination of hardware and software. The lack of effective simulation tool to design and analyze the quantum cryptography experiments delays the reaching distance of the success. In this paper, we propose a framework to achieve an effective non-entanglement based quantum cryptography simulation tool. We applied hybrid simulation technique i.e. discrete event, continuous event and system dynamics. We also highlight the limitations of a commercial photonic simulation tool based experiments. Finally, we discuss ideas for achieving one-stop simulation package for quantum based secure key distribution experiments. All the modules of simulation framework are viewed from the computer science perspective.
Abstract The applications of quantum information science move towards bigger and better heights for the next generation technology. Especially, in the field of quantum cryptography and quantum computation, the world already witnessed various ground-breaking tangible product and promising results. Quantum cryptography is one of the mature field from quantum mechanics and already available in the markets. The current state of quantum cryptography is still under various researches in order to reach the heights of digital cryptography. The complexity of quantum cryptography is higher due to combination of hardware and software. The lack of effective simulation tool to design and analyze the quantum cryptography experiments delays the reaching distance of the success. In this paper, we propose a framework to achieve an effective non-entanglement based quantum cryptography simulation tool. We applied hybrid simulation technique i.e. discrete event, continuous event and system dynamics. We also highlight the limitations of a commercial photonic simulation tool based experiments. Finally, we discuss ideas for achieving one-stop simulation package for quantum based secure key distribution experiments. All the modules of simulation framework are viewed from the computer science perspective.
The applications of quantum information science move towards bigger and better dimensions for the next generation technology. In the field of quantum cryptography and quantum computation, the world already witnessed various groundbreaking tangible products and promising results. Quantum cryptography is one of the mature fields of quantum mechanics and the devices are already available in the markets. In order to reach the heights of digital cryptography, the current state of quantum cryptography is still under various researches. However, the complexity of quantum cryptography is high due to combination of hardware and software. The lack of effective simulation tool to design and analyze the quantum cryptography experiments delays the reaching distance of the success. Therefore, in this paper, a framework to achieve an effective single photon based quantum cryptography simulation tool is proposed. The limitations of a commercial photonic simulation tool based experiments are also highlighted. Finally, the ideas for achieving one-stop simulation package for quantum based secure key distribution experiments are discussed. The proposed modules of simulation framework have been analyzed from the programming perspective.
The advancement of quantum mechanics has accelerated the quantum computer architecture and hardware. However, algorithms and implementations to take the full advantage of entanglements provided by quantum devices are still far behind. Quantum cryptography offers the possibility of theoretically perfect security based on the principles of quantum mechanics, ensuring that the presence of an eavesdropper will be detected before any sensitive information is transmitted. However, the relevant technology is still under development - hardware, though commercially available, is still in an immature state, and the protocols used to implement secure communications using that hardware may still be improved. The use of simulations is an important tool for studying quantum cryptography, as they can enable researchers to make valuable insights at a relatively low cost. The data garnered from working with simulations can provide direction for further research both in the development of new communications protocols and in the improvement of actual hardware systems.
This Quantum Cryptography, as a future generation cyber security protocol research, includes experimental data that have been gathered from publicly accessible quantum cryptographic experiments done by university research facilities and cyber security facilities. The data comprises performance records of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) deployments across various network environments and networks. Critical parameters, including encryption success rates, error rates, latency, throughput, and QKD efficiency, were studied to ensure the security and reliability of quantum cryptographic protocols being implemented. Experimental setups, such as Qiskit and QuTech, are utilized in experiments that offer the functionality to simulate and test quantum cryptographic systems. Quantum circuit building, quantum protocol simulation, and performance monitoring against various network topologies are facilitated by these platforms. Moreover, the experimental setup utilized actual quantum key distribution hardware and secure communication channels to facilitate real-time experimentation. Visualization employed Matplotlib to produce histograms and 3D plots of the success rates, throughput, and latency. Statistical modeling was performed to estimate the correlation between network latency, quantum key efficiency, and error rates, thereby plotting the contribution of quantum cryptography to the security of modern communication infrastructure in the future. Theory and practice, as exemplified in experimentation with quantum-computing software and numerical modelling, converge in this article to introduce possible future limits on using quantum cryptography as a nascent next-generation paradigm for cybersecurity.
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.
The rapid advancement of quantum computing poses a significant threat to classical cryptographic systems that rely on the computational hardness of mathematical problems such as integer factorization and discrete logarithm problems. In this context, quantum cryptography has emerged as a promising paradigm for secure communication based on the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics rather than on computational assumptions. This paper presents a comprehensive review of quantum cryptography, with a particular focus on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), the most mature application. The study discusses the theoretical foundations of quantum security, including superposition, entanglement, and the No-cloning theorem, which collectively enable eavesdropping detection and guarantee information-theoretic security. Furthermore, the review examines major QKD protocols, such as BB84 and E91, as well as their advanced variants designed to address practical vulnerabilities and enhance performance. Recent progress in real-world implementations, including fiber-optic networks, free-space communication, and satellite-based systems such as the Micius satellite, is also analyzed. In addition, the paper highlights critical challenges related to scalability, hardware limitations, and security loopholes arising from imperfect devices. Finally, emerging research directions, including hybrid cryptographic frameworks that integrate quantum and post-quantum approaches, are discussed to provide insights into the future of secure communication. This review aims to provide a structured, up-to-date understanding of quantum cryptography, bridging the gap between theoretical developments and practical implementations, and emphasizing its crucial role in shaping next-generation cybersecurity systems.
Quantum cryptography has emerged as a revolutionary technology for ensuring secure communication in the era of quantum computing. While existing research primarily focuses on theoretical frameworks and small-scale experimental setups, significant challenges remain in practical implementation, scalability, and security vulnerabilities. This study aims to bridge the gap between theory and real-world deployment by developing robust quantum cryptographic protocols that address key challenges such as noise management, side-channel attacks, and Trojan horse attacks. Additionally, we propose an optimized quantum key distribution (QKD) mechanism that ensures secure communication over long distances under realistic conditions. Our research integrates post-quantum cryptography with quantum cryptographic techniques to provide a hybrid security model that is resilient against both classical and quantum computing threats. By leveraging commercially available quantum hardware and advanced randomness extraction methods, this study contributes to the development of scalable, secure, and efficient quantum communication networks. The findings of this research will play a crucial role in advancing secure digital communication systems and fortifying data security in the post-quantum era.