The exchange of cryptographic keys is of fundamental importance for the security of today's communications infrastructures. The security of current key exchange procedures is mostly based on mathematical assumptions, whereby the most widely used procedures today can no longer be considered secure if a cryptographically relevant quantum computer is available. Quantum key distribution (QKD) will enable secure key exchange in the future, offering a very high level of security. A hybrid combination of technologies, e.g. with post-quantum cryptography (PQC), also appears to be advantageous.
MOZART will discuss the technical testing and feasibility of secure key exchange using QKD-based methods (terrestrial and free space) between the Federal Central Fallback System (ZAS) in St. Johann im Pongau and the Vienna public authority network. In addition, the design of prototypical QKD solutions in the laboratory will be considered.
Specifically, the innovation of the project lies in obtaining the most comprehensive comparison possible with regard to secure key exchange in terms of security, functionality, market readiness, costs and sustainability for the Vienna-St. Johann communication link, taking into account distance and transmission rate. An evaluation of further research needs and an overview of European developments round off the project.
In particular, the project results enable the user to obtain concrete requirements for future-proof data exchange between Vienna and the ZAS. The project results generate significant added value for users in terms of government administration in order to protect important and sensitive data.
In addition, the project participants expect that (parts of) the results can be used beyond the Vienna-St. Johann use case as a blueprint for further secure communication applications in Austria, which also provides significant added value for the users.
Project Lead
Dr. Christoph Striecks, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Partners
Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH
Universität Innsbruck
Bedarfsträger: Bundeskanzleramt Österreich
Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung
Contact
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Giefinggasse 4, 1210 Wien
Telefon: +43 664 8251141
E-Mail: Christoph.Striecks(at)ait.ac.at
WWW: https://ait.ac.at
