Aircraft-to-Ground Data-Link Security with Post-Quantum Cryptography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aviation data-link communication systems lack entity authentication, making them susceptible to interception and tampering, and are vulnerable to attacks from quantum computers that can compromise the security of aircraft-to-ground communications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cloud-based quantum service computing entity and a quantum edge computing entity, such as an avionics IoT gateway, to provide post quantum cryptographic services, including generating and managing quantum keys, for secure communication between connected systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current aviation data-link communication systems are used, then communication between aircraft and ground can be established, but the systems lack entity authentication and are vulnerable to quantum computing attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from classical cryptographic algorithms to post-quantum cryptographic algorithms. This fundamental change in the cryptographic parameter (algorithm type) ensures that the communication system remains secure against quantum computing attacks while maintaining authentication and encryption capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-distributing post-quantum cryptographic keys and certificates to aircraft and ground systems before quantum computing becomes a practical threat. This advance preparation ensures that when quantum computers are capable of breaking classical cryptography, the aviation communication systems are already protected.
2Reliability
If post quantum cryptography is implemented, then quantum security is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses intermediaries by introducing quantum-secure certificate authorities and key distribution services that manage post-quantum cryptographic keys and certificates. These intermediary services handle the complexity of key generation, distribution, and rotation, while aircraft and ground systems can focus on using the provided cryptographic primitives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing post-quantum cryptographic solutions that can be integrated into existing aviation communication infrastructure. The same post-quantum algorithms and protocols are used across multiple systems (aircraft, ground stations, satellite communications), allowing shared key management and authentication mechanisms to reduce overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for providing secure communication for connected systems. The techniques may include receiving a communication session indication associated with a first connected system; authenticating the first connected system based on IAM policy; encrypting a message to generate an encrypted message based on a post quantum cryptography public key associated with the first connected system; and causing transmitting of the encrypted message to a second connected system.