Some Physics And System Issues In The Security Analysis Of Quantum Key Distribution Protocols

TL;DR

This paper reviews physical and mathematical issues affecting the security analysis of quantum key distribution protocols, highlighting potential overlooked attacks and questioning the reliability of existing security claims.

Contribution

It identifies gaps in the security analysis of QKD protocols related to physics and system representation, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive security evaluations.

Findings

Cryptosystem models may omit possible attack vectors.

Security proofs might not account for all practical vulnerabilities.

Analysis of continuous-variable and multi-photon QKD highlights specific issues.

Abstract

In this paper we review a number of issues on the security of quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols that bear directly on the relevant physics or mathematical representation of the QKD cryptosystem. It is shown that the cryptosystem representation itself may miss out many possible attacks which are not accounted for in the security analysis and proofs. Hence the final security claims drawn from such analysis are not reliable, apart from foundational issues about the security criteria that are discussed elsewhere. The cases of continuous-variable QKD and multi-photon sources are elaborated upon.