International Conference on Quantum Communications, Networking, and Computing (QCNC 2027)

March 22-26, 2027 · Hokkaido, Japan.

http://www.qcnc.org/2027

Track 3: Security in the Quantum Age

Track Chairs:
Walter Krawec, University of Connecticut, USA
Momtchil Peev, Huawei Technologies Duesseldorf GmbH, Germany
Martin Vicente, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
Jindi Wu, DePaul University, USA

Description

The emergence of quantum technologies presents unprecedented opportunities alongside challenges in establishing adequate security measures. A well-known algorithm for quantum computing by Peter Shor is known to break many cryptographic primitives that are widely used in present implementations of public key cryptography. As a reaction, a number of alternative public key primitives that are Shor-resistant, and widely known as Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC), have been proposed and recently standardized by NIST. This is a relatively quick fix to the “quantum threat” (posed by the mentioned Shor algorithm or yet unknown quantum computing capabilities), albeit a one of uncertain longevity.
Simultaneously and independently, a novel method to distribute symmetric keys based on the principles of quantum mechanics, known as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has been developed from early protocols and experimental realizations to modern prototypes, products and sophisticated network testbeds. It comes with the (protocol level) promise of security that is unbreakable by any technological development, but suffers from a number of weaknesses. The major one is a limited distribution distance using currently available technology (in the absence of powerful but not yet realized quantum repeaters). Further Quantum Communication based security primitives, albeit on a lower security level, have been less extensively explored. The latter, together with QKD, comprise what is known to be Quantum Cryptography. Quantum cryptography can also build novel cryptographic systems that are impossible to implement classically, such as certified deletion, while also building public key systems that are secure using weaker assumptions than those necessary for security classically.
This track will study the latest advances of QKD, QKD Networks, Quantum Cryptography at large, and PQC. This includes their development, maturity and practical realizability. Furthermore, we encourage interdisciplinary approaches that integrate pure and hybrid solutions of this type in various domains. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Track Topics

• Quantum Key Distribution Protocols: design of novel protocols, security proofs and proof methods for QKD protocols
• Quantum Key Distribution Realizations: prototypes, products and test-beds
• Side channels in QKD, quantum hacking and countermeasures
• Quantum Key Distribution Network and Deployments, including satellites and satellite networks
• Quantum Key Distribution and Quantum Key Distribution Networks: Standardization and Certification
• Quantum Cryptography beyond QKD
• Post-quantum cryptography (PQC)
• PQC products, standardization and certification
• Side-channel attacks and countermeasures in PQC
• Migration to solutions that are secure against the quantum threat
• Hybridization of different approaches that offer security in the quantum regime
• Use cases for realizing security in the quantum age

Paper Submission and Publication

Details of paper submission and publication can be found here.