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The Case for Quantum Key Distribution

Authors:
Douglas Stebila
Michele Mosca
Norbert Lütkenhaus
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URL: http://eprint.iacr.org/2009/082
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Abstract: Quantum key distribution (QKD) promises secure key agreement by using quantum mechanical systems. We argue that QKD will be an important part of future cryptographic infrastructures. It can provide long-term confidentiality for encrypted information without reliance on computational assumptions. Although QKD still requires authentication to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, it can make use of either information-theoretically secure symmetric key authentication or computationally secure public key authentication: even when using public key authentication, we argue that QKD still offers stronger security than classical key agreement.
BibTeX
@misc{eprint-2009-18285,
  title={The Case for Quantum Key Distribution},
  booktitle={IACR Eprint archive},
  keywords={quantum cryptography},
  url={http://eprint.iacr.org/2009/082},
  note={ douglas@stebila.ca 14292 received 16 Feb 2009},
  author={Douglas Stebila and Michele Mosca and Norbert Lütkenhaus},
  year=2009
}