No abstract

We demonstrated, for the first time, a machine-learning method to assist the coexistence between quantum and classical communication channels. Software-defined networking was used to successfully enable the key generation and transmission over a city and campus network.

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has been identified as a secure method for providing symmetric keys between two parties based on the fundamental laws of quantum physics, making impossible for a third party to copy the quantum states exchanged without being detected by the sender (Alice) and receiver (BoB) and without altering the original states. However, when QKD is applied in a deployed optical network, physical layer intrusions may occur in the optical links by injecting harmful signals directly into the optical fibre. This can have a detrimental effect on the key distribution and eventually lead to its disruption. On the other hand, network architectures with software defined networking (SDN) benefit from a homogeneous and unified control plane that can seamlessly control a QKD enabled optical network end-to-end. There is no need for a separate QKD control, a separate control for each segment of an optical network and an orchestrator to coordinate between these parts. Furthermore, SDN allows customised and application tailored control and algorithm provisioning, such as QKD aware optical path computation, to be deployed in the network, independent of the underlying infrastructure. Therefore, in this manuscript, we investigate the integration of the application, SDN and QKD infrastructure layers and confirm capability for flexible supervision and uninterrupted key service provisioning in the event of link level attacks. An experimental demonstrator is used, for the first time, to verify the architecture proposed, considering realtime monitoring of quantum parameters and fiberoptic link intruders to emulate real-world conditions. Furthermore, attacks on a standard single-mode fiber (via a 3dB coupler) and a multicore fiber (via an adjacent core) are undertaken to explore different connectivity between QKD units. Results show an additional attacker identification and switching time of less than 60ms for the link cases investigated, being negligible compared to the total (re)initialization time of 14 minutes of the QKD units.

We experimentally demonstrate, for the first time, DDoS mitigation of QKD-based networks utilizing a software defined network application. Successful quantum-secured link allocation is achieved after a DDoS attack based on real-time monitoring of quantum parameters.

A software-defined IoT network is integrated with fibre-based QKD technology to provide the IoT devices with quantum-secure keys to enhance their battery lifetime. Experimental demonstration reveals an 18% energy efficiency improvement compared to the standard device key generation.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract