Quantum multi-factor authentication

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum multi-factor authentication protocol leveraging quantum communication complexity, providing enhanced security features and compatibility with classical systems, including SASL integration.

Contribution

It presents a novel quantum authentication mechanism based on the hidden-matching problem, adaptable to classical settings and with security advantages over existing methods.

Findings

Protocol can be implemented in largely classical environments

Offers step-up graded authentication via quantum tokens

Compared favorably with current multi-factor authentication methods

Abstract

We present a quantum multi-factor authentication mechanism based on the hidden-matching quantum communication complexity problem. It offers step-up graded authentication for users via a quantum token. In this paper, we outline the protocol, demonstrate that it can be used in a largely classical setting, explain how it can be implemented in SASL, and discuss arising security features. We also offer a comparison between our mechanism and current state-of-the-art multi-factor authentication mechanisms.