Digitalization, globalization and networking require secure telecommunications, which in turn require secure cryptography. With the advent of suitable quantum computers in future, today's asymmetric cryptography can no longer be used for security reasons, which is already relevant for certain data. For this reason, attempts have been made for decades to find physical methods of cryptography, in particular for the generation and distribution of cryptographic keys.
The study analyzes and compares four different methods of physical cryptography, including the underlying technologies and the available and planned commercial products / solutions, in a completely technology-neutral, understandable and comprehensible manner. The four methods are QKD (Quantum Key Distribution) with and without entanglement, methods based on the measurement of radio channel properties and key distribution using highly secure SSD/HDD/memory sticks. A distinction is made between implementation via fiber optic networks, free beam channels and satellite connections.
The results of the study are a comprehensive comparison from the point of view of IT security, functionality, market maturity, key rate and costs. Furthermore, a technology-neutral analysis of the advantages and disadvantages and general suitability of the four methods and commercial products / solutions in relation to different application scenarios is carried out.
The study is written by IT security experts primarily for procurers, security managers and users.
There are already many different suitable technologies and, above all, products/solutions on the market today, most of which are described in very technological terms. For procurers, IT security managers and users, they represent an opaque convolute that has not yet been analyzed and compared in any study in terms of IT security, market maturity, costs, applicability etc. in a technology-neutral and generally understandable way.
Project Lead
Univ.-Doz. DI Dr. Ernst Piller
Institut für IT-Sicherheitsforschung, FH St. Pölten
Partners
Bundeskanzleramt, Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung
Contact
FH St. Pölten
Campus-Platz 1, 3100 St. Pölten
0676 847 228 636
ernst.piller(at)fhstp.ac.at
https://isf.fhstp.ac.at/
