Time synchronization protocol for the KLJN secure key exchange scheme

TL;DR

This paper introduces a robust time synchronization protocol for the KLJN secure key exchange scheme that resists arbitrary clock delay attacks, enhancing security against potential vulnerabilities similar to those in quantum key distribution.

Contribution

It proposes a novel time synchronization protocol specifically designed to withstand arbitrary delay attacks in the KLJN system, ensuring secure key exchange.

Findings

The protocol resists symmetric and asymmetric delay attacks.

It maintains time and hardware integrity under attack.

The approach enhances the security of KLJN against clock-based vulnerabilities.

Abstract

The information theoretically secure Kirchhoff-law-Johnson-noise (KLJN) key exchange scheme, similarly to quantum key distribution (QKD), is also potentially vulnerable against clock attacks, where Eve takes over the control of clock synchronization in the channel. This short note aims to introduce a time synchronization protocol scheme for Alice and Bob, which is resistant against arbitrary time delay attacks, both symmetric and asymmetric ones. We propose and explore various ways of clock synchronization for the KLJN system and propose an ultimate protocol that preserves time and hardware integrity under arbitrary attacks.