Paper 2026/092
Integrity from Algebraic Manipulation Detection in Trusted-Repeater QKD Networks
, University of Amsterdam, QuSoft, University of Amsterdam, QuSoft, University of Amsterdam, QuSoftAbstract
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) allows secure communication without relying on computational assumptions, but can currently only be deployed over relatively short distances due to hardware constraints. To extend QKD over long distances, networks of trusted repeater nodes can be used, wherein QKD is executed between neighbouring nodes and messages between non-neighbouring nodes are forwarded using a relay protocol. Although these networks are being deployed worldwide, no protocol exists which provides provable guarantees of integrity against manipulation from both external adversaries and corrupted intermediates. In this work, we present the first protocol that provably provides both confidentiality and integrity. Our protocol combines an existing cryptographic technique, Algebraic Manipulation Detection (AMD) codes, with multi-path relaying over trusted repeater networks. This protocol achieves Information-Theoretic Security (ITS) against the detection of manipulation, which we prove formally through a sequence of games.
Metadata
- Available format(s)
-
PDF
- Category
- Cryptographic protocols
- Publication info
- Preprint.
- Keywords
- QKDsecret sharingauthentication codestrusted repeater networksinformation theoretic securityprovable security
- Contact author(s)
- s r verschoor @ uva nl
- History
- 2026-01-23: approved
- 2026-01-20: received
- See all versions
- Short URL
- https://ia.cr/2026/092
- License
-
CC BY
BibTeX
@misc{cryptoeprint:2026/092,
author = {Ailsa Robertson and Christian Schaffner and Sebastian R. Verschoor},
title = {Integrity from Algebraic Manipulation Detection in Trusted-Repeater {QKD} Networks},
howpublished = {Cryptology {ePrint} Archive, Paper 2026/092},
year = {2026},
url = {https://eprint.iacr.org/2026/092}
}
