Physical-layer encryption on the public internet: a stochastic approach to the Kish-Sethuraman cipher

TL;DR

This paper explores a stochastic physical-layer encryption method for the public internet, leveraging inherent transit time randomness to achieve information-theoretic security without relying on quantum or one-time pad techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a novel classical encryption approach based on transit time variability, expanding the scope of secure communication methods on the public internet.

Findings

Transit times exhibit sufficient randomness for security.

The method provides information-theoretic security without quantum resources.

Practical implementation potential demonstrated.

Abstract

While information-theoretic security is often associated with the one-time pad and quantum key distribution, noisy transport media leave room for classical techniques and even covert operation. Transit times across the public internet exhibit a degree of randomness, and cannot be determined noiselessly by an eavesdropper. We demonstrate the use of these measurements for information-theoretically secure communication over the public internet.