Derivation of User Requirements for Quantum safe Communication

Post-Quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD), offer different capabilities for se-curing sensitive communication in the decades to come. However, the two research communities so far have minimal collaboration. This project derives the requirements a cryptographic protocol for secure group communication on distributed, hybrid networks, integrating PQC and QKD as available on the distributed network infrastructure. The main focus is cooperation with Korean QKD researchers and companies, and making Korean QKD know-how available to Finnish researchers and companies. In Finland, QKD research and experiments are still in the early stages compared to Korea, Finnish companies have not yet grasped the topic, even though it has the potential to be one of the cornerstones of the quantum internet.

With the current state of art and distribution of technologies in quantum communication, the physically secure QKD technology and theoretically quantum safe PQC methods can coexist and complete each other. Therefore, it is necessary to derive information on the current state of QKD and PQC systems, along with their respective requirements, applicability, services, security proofs etc. Research institutes, tele-communication network operators, and industry should work together internationally to obtain such re-quirements for QKD and PQC hybrid systems and to provide guidelines.