Demonstrating BB84 Quantum Key Distribution in the Physical Layer of an Optical Fiber Based System

Abstract

Nowadays, widely spread encryption methods (e.g., RSA) and protocols enabling digital signatures (e.g., DSA, ECDSA) are an integral part of our life. Although recently developed quantum computers have low processing capacity, huge dimensions and lack of interoperability, we must underline their practical significance – applying Peter Shor’s quantum algorithm (which makes it possible to factorize integers in polynomial time) public key cryptography is set to become breakable. As an answer, symmetric key cryptography proves to be secure against quantum based attacks and with it quantum key distribution (QKD) is going through vast development and growing to be a hot topic in data security. This is due to such methods securely generating symmetric keys by protocols relying on laws of quantum physics.

Enhanced Security of Software-defined Network and Network Slice Through Hybrid Quantum Key Distribution Protocol

“…If a third party makes measurement of the transferred quantum, both of party will discover an eavesdropper presence on the communication channel based on the rules of the mechanics of quantum and the no-cloning theorem [12]. Several researchers have presented work on using quantum protocols to achieve key distribution instead of using traditional cryptographic methods (e.g., RSA), where Czermann, Márton et al [13] demonstrated the successful distribution of quantum keys using the BB84 protocol in practice on a fiber-optic system.…”