1109.2844 (Sébastien Kunz-Jacques et al.)

Using Hash-Based Signatures to Bootstrap Quantum Key Distribution    [PDF]

Sébastien Kunz-Jacques, Paul Jouguet

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.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1109.2844