Authenticity, Integrity, and Replay Protection in Quantum Data Communications and Networking

Abstract

Quantum data communications and networking involve classical hardware and software. Quantum storage is sensitive to environmental disturbances that may have malicious origins. Teleportation and entanglement swapping, two building blocks for the future quantum Internet, rely on secure classical bit communications. When lack of authenticity, integrity, and replay protection may have a high impact, quantum data communications are at risk and need to be protected. Building upon quantum cryptography and random generation of quantum operators, we propose a solution to protect the authenticity, integrity, and replay of quantum data communications. Our solution includes a classical data interface to quantum data cryptography. We describe how classical keying material can be mapped to quantum operators. This enables classical key management techniques for secure quantum data communications.