Speaker
Description
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a quantum communication method that provides a provably secure way to share secret keys between users. Although QKD protocols are theoretically secure, their practical implementation is never perfect and since most security proofs for QKD protocols stand on assumptions made about the setup’s devices, this compromises security. Side channel attacks are a type of attack on a cryptographic system which explores the weakness of its physical implementation, rather than problems in the devised algorithm. Studying new vulnerabilities of QKD systems is a crucial step towards devising future implementations which are more secure against these types of attacks.
This project will be developed within the framework of the European Project QSNP - Quantum Secure Networks Partnership, and it aims to use electronic side-channel analysis to find and study new vulnerabilities of QKD systems, and to develop approaches to quantify these vulnerabilities, distinguishing between the classical and the quantum parts. It will also help to build a quantum communication system at Instituto Superior Técnico.