A New Quantum Secure Time Transfer System

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel quantum secure time transfer system that enhances clock synchronization security against attacks using self-generated quantum keys and secure encryption within a hybrid quantum architecture.

Contribution

The paper presents a new QSTT system that combines quantum and post-quantum techniques for improved security and robustness in time transfer and synchronization.

Findings

Successfully demonstrated quantum secure time transfer experimentally.

Achieved information-theoretic security for maximum timing data.

Enhanced robustness against intercept-resend, spoofing, and delay attacks.

Abstract

High-precision clock synchronization is essential for a wide range of network-distributed applications. In the quantum space, these applications include communication, sensing, and positioning. However, current synchronization techniques are vulnerable to attacks, such as intercept-resend attacks, spoofing, and delay attacks. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a new quantum secure time transfer (QSTT) system, subsequently used for clock synchronization, that largely negates such attacks. Novel to our system is the optimal use of self-generated quantum keys within the QSTT to information-theoretically secure the maximum amount of timing data; as well as the introduction, within a hybrid quantum/post-quantum architecture, of an information-theoretic secure obfuscated encryption sequence of the remaining timing data. With these enhancements, we argue that our new system represents the most robust implementation of QSTT to date.