QUACK Authentication Code Generation for Secure Data-in-Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing encryption methods for in-motion or in-flight data face practical challenges due to national security restrictions and the need for efficient authentication mechanisms without encryption.
Innovation Solution
The use of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNG) to generate authentication codes for message portions, creating chaff that interleaves valid and invalid chunks to obfuscate data-in-motion without encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encryption is used for data-in-motion, then security is improved, but national security restrictions and monitoring make it impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication function from encryption, using only authentication codes (HMAC) without actual encryption. This removes the impracticality of encrypted data-in-motion while maintaining security through authentication, allowing cleartext transmission with cryptographic verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces authentication codes as an intermediary mechanism between sender and receiver. These codes verify message integrity without requiring encrypted transmission, serving as a mediator that provides security through authentication rather than through encryption of the data itself.
2Reliability
If authentication codes are sent with encrypted messages, then authentication is improved, but the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts authentication from the encryption process, sending authentication codes separately from encrypted messages. This simplifies the overall process by decoupling authentication from encryption, allowing each to be handled independently with appropriate cryptographic mechanisms.
3Reliability
If quantum key distribution is used, then security against counterfeiting is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces classical random number generation with quantum random number generation (QRNG). This substitution provides true randomness that is fundamentally secure against counterfeiting, leveraging quantum mechanical principles to generate unpredictable authentication codes that cannot be replicated.
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
This approach provides secure authentication and obfuscation of data-in-motion, leveraging quantum technologies to enhance security and resistance to counterfeiting and replay attacks.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first cryptographic key or the second cryptographic key is generated using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
Implementation Method 2
The first device generates using a Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) a random number for each portion of a second message
Data Source
AI summary
The arrangements disclosed herein relate to generating, by a first device, an authentication code for each of portions of a first message by running each of the portions of the first message through a cryptographic function with a cryptographic key. The first device generates a plurality of valid chunks, each including one of the plurality of portions of the first message and the corresponding authentication code. The first device generates using a Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) a random number for each portion of a second message. The first device generates invalid chunks, each invalid chunk includes one of the portions of the second message and the corresponding random number. The first device sends to the second device chaff including the invalid chunks interleaved with the valid chunks.