Using Hash-Based Signatures to Bootstrap Quantum Key Distribution

Sébastien Kunz-Jacques (1) , Paul Jouguet (2)

1 SeQureNet
2 LTCI - Laboratoire Traitement et Communication de l'Information

Quantum Key Distribution is a secret distribution technique that requires an authenticated channel. This channel is usually created on top of an un-authenticated communication medium using unconditionally secure message authentication codes (MAC) and an initial common secret. We examine the consequences of replacing this MAC algorithm by a cryptographic hash-based signature algorithm, like the Lamport algorithm, and show that in practical settings it results in an increase of the security of QKD and ease its deployment.

Domaines: Cryptographie et sécurité [cs.CR]; Physique Quantique [quant-ph]

Sébastien Kunz-Jacques, Paul Jouguet. Using Hash-Based Signatures to Bootstrap Quantum Key Distribution. 2011. ⟨hal-00663583⟩