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Work item:
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TR.sec-qkd
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Subject/title:
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Security considerations for quantum key distribution network
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Status:
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Agreed on 2020-03-26
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Approval process:
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Agreement
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Type of work item:
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Technical report
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Version:
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New
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Equivalent number:
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-
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Timing:
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-
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Liaison:
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-
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Supporting members:
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-
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Summary:
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Facing challenge from quantum computers, quantum safe cryptography is becoming increasingly important.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a technology using quantum physics to securely exchange symmetric encryption keys. This technology solves the problem of key distribution by allowing the exchange of cryptographic keys between two remote parties with information-theoretic security, guaranteed by the fundamental laws of physics. These keys can then be used securely with conventional cryptographic algorithms.
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) refers to cryptographic algorithms which are resilient to attacks by quantum computers. Some post-quantum cryptographies, such as lattice-, code- or hash-based cryptosystems, are currently believed to be quantum-safe until proven otherwise.
These two technologies, i.e., QKD and PQC are two pillars complementary to each other for quantum safe cryptography. QKD can be used as a key establishment alternative and QKD deployment is used to secure operators' backbone communications. PQC is a collection of cryptographic algorithms considered to be secure against quantum computer for end-point security.
This Technical Report only studies the perspective of QKD. Although QKD technologies have been developed for several decades, there is a need to develop a QKD framework to satisfy requirements from the telecom network's perspective.
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Comment:
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-
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Reference(s):
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Historic references:
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Contact(s):
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| ITU-T A.5 justification(s): |
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First registration in the WP:
2018-09-21 12:28:04
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Last update:
2020-06-11 16:12:13
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