Backflash Light as a Security Vulnerability in Quantum Key Distribution Systems
Type
Book ChapterKAUST Department
Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology,Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE) Division
Electrical Engineering Program
Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division
Date
2021-01-25Permanent link to this record
http://hdl.handle.net/10754/662365
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Based on the fundamental rules of quantum mechanics, two communicating parties can generate and share a secret random key that can be used to encrypt and decrypt messages sent over an insecure channel. This process is known as quantum key distribution (QKD). Contrary to classical encryption schemes, the security of a QKD system does not depend on the computational complexity of specific mathematical problems. However, QKD systems can be subject to different kinds of attacks, exploiting engineering, and technical imperfections of the components forming the systems. Here, we review the security vulnerabilities of QKD. We mainly focus on a particular effect known as backflash light, which can be a source of eavesdropping attacks. We equally highlight the method for quantifying backflash emission and the different ways to mitigate this effect.Citation
Vybornyi, I., Trichili, A., & Alouini, M.-S. (2021). Backflash Light as a Security Vulnerability in Quantum Key Distribution Systems. Physical Layer Security, 83–97. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-55366-1_4Publisher
Springer NatureISBN
97830305536549783030553661
arXiv
2003.10478Additional Links
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-55366-1_4ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1007/978-3-030-55366-1_4