Resource Requirements and Speed versus Geometry of Unconditionally Secure Physical Key Exchanges

Entropy

Elias Gonzalez¹  Robert S. Balog² 

[1] Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3128 TAMU College Station, TX 77843, USA;

关键词: KLJN;    QKD;    networks;    star network;    secure key exchange;    information theoretically secure;    unconditional security;   

DOI  :  10.3390/e17042010

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The imperative need for unconditional secure key exchange is expounded by the increasing connectivity of networks and by the increasing number and level of sophistication of cyberattacks. Two concepts that are theoretically information-secure are quantum key distribution (QKD) and Kirchoff-Law-Johnson-Noise (KLJN). However, these concepts require a dedicated connection between hosts in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks which can be impractical and or cost prohibitive. A practical and cost effective method is to have each host share their respective cable(s) with other hosts such that two remote hosts can realize a secure key exchange without the need of an additional cable or key exchanger. In this article we analyze the cost complexities of cable, key exchangers, and time required in the star network. We mentioned the reliability of the star network and compare it with other network geometries. We also conceived a protocol and equation for the number of secure bit exchange periods needed in a star network. We then outline other network geometries and trade-off possibilities that seem interesting to explore.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland