Restricted method for exchanging security keys based on a quantum network with a centralized key manager; associated communication infrastructure and computer program product.

Abstract

A restricted method for exchanging security keys based on a quantum network comprising a centralized key manager; associated communication infrastructure and computer program product. In this method, a centralized key manager (40) maintains a database with the keys of each of the nodes (30i) of the QKD network, and, upon receiving a route to exchange a random number (K0) between a sender and a receiver, selects a key for each pair of nodes in the route and transmits, in parallel to each node in the route, a command (Ci) identifying the key it shares with the preceding node and the key it shares with the following node. Each node sums (140) the two identified keys and sends a response to the XOR unit (44), which constructs a global chain (K) before transmitting it to the receiver for random number extraction. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2