Information theoretic security by the laws of classical physics

TL;DR

This paper discusses a classical physics-based secure key distribution method called KLJN, which offers information-theoretic security and resists quantum and man-in-the-middle attacks, with a live demonstration included.

Contribution

It introduces the KLJN protocol as a classical physics approach providing superior security compared to quantum methods, including practical demonstration.

Findings

KLJN offers unconditional security based on classical physics.

It surpasses quantum key distribution in security levels.

The system resists man-in-the-middle attacks.

Abstract

It has been shown recently that the use of two pairs of resistors with enhanced Johnson-noise and a Kirchhoff-loop-i.e., a Kirchhoff-Law-Johnson-Noise (KLJN) protocol-for secure key distribution leads to information theoretic security levels superior to those of a quantum key distribution, including a natural immunity against a man-in-the-middle attack. This issue is becoming particularly timely because of the recent full cracks of practical quantum communicators, as shown in numerous peer-reviewed publications. This presentation first briefly surveys the KLJN system and then discusses related, essential questions such as: what are perfect and imperfect security characteristics of key distribution, and how can these two types of securities be unconditional (or information theoretical)? Finally the presentation contains a live demonstration.