Monitoring Server for Quantum Key Distribution Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current key generating and sharing systems face security risks due to potential hacking and physical attacks on nodes, which can compromise the integrity of application keys and link keys, with no unconditional secure technology available to prevent such threats.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a monitoring server that detects attacks on nodes, restructures key sharing routes to avoid compromised nodes, and issues instructions to destroy or stop using shared keys, ensuring secure application key sharing even if a node is attacked, utilizing a combination of quantum key distribution and network security technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If quantum key distribution technology is implemented to guarantee security of application key relay via internode links, then security of key transmission is improved, but security of the nodes themselves that transfer application keys still needs enhancement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting attacks on nodes before they can compromise keys, and proactively destroys compromised keys before they can be misused. The monitoring server continuously monitors node status and pre-emptively responds to security threats by invalidating affected keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring server establishes a feedback loop by continuously monitoring node status, detecting attacks in real-time, and responding by destroying compromised keys. This closed-loop system provides continuous security verification and automatic response to threats.
2Reliability
If nodes are monitored and key routes are restructured to avoid attacked nodes, then security against node attacks is improved, but system complexity increases due to monitoring and key management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring server acts as an intermediary between nodes and key management operations. It centralizes the complex tasks of attack detection, key status monitoring, and key destruction decisions, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high security standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring server performs multiple functions including attack detection, key status monitoring, route reconstruction, and key destruction coordination. This multi-functional approach consolidates security management tasks into a single component, reducing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system maintains secure application key sharing by detecting and mitigating attacks on nodes, preventing the use of compromised keys and ensuring continuous operation of the key sharing network.
Implementation Method 1
The function of generating a random number (a link key) and sharing it with opposite nodes that are connected by links can also be implemented using, for example, a technology that is commonly called quantum cryptography or quantum key distribution (QKD).
Implementation Method 2
Each node has the function of generating and sharing a random number with opposite nodes that are connected by links, as well as has the function of performing cryptographic communication over a link by using a random number as a cryptographic key (hereinafter, referred to as 'a link key').
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a communication device is connected to a plurality of external devices which share key information with each other. The communication device includes a detector and an instructing unit. The detector is configured to, from among the external devices, detect an external device that has been subject to attack. The instructing unit is configured to issue an instruction to stop using key information which is shared with the detected external device.