Park, Hojoong Park Byung Kwon Woo Min Ki Kang, Min-Sung Choi, Ji-Woong Kang, Ju-Sung Yeom, Yongjin Han, Sang-Wook 2024-01-12T06:32:49Z 2024-01-12T06:32:49Z 2023-11-16 2023-11 2662-4400 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/79768 Entity authentication is crucial for ensuring secure quantum communication as it helps confirm the identity of participants before transmitting any confidential information. We propose a practical entity authentication protocol for quantum key distribution (QKD) network systems that utilizes authentication qubits. In this protocol, authentication qubits that are encoded with pre-shared information are generated and exchanged to verify the legitimacy of each entity. By using the authentication qubit, participants can identify each other with enhanced security level through the quantum channel. The proposed protocol can be easily integrated with existing QKD systems without the need for additional hardware. In this study, we demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed scheme using a 1xN QKD network system and verified its stable operation over a deployed fiber network. Additionally, a security analysis of the proposed entity authentication protocol and architecture is provided. English Springer | Societa Italiana di Fisica, EDP Sciences Mutual entity authentication of quantum key distribution network system using authentication qubits Article 10.1140/epjqt/s40507-023-00205-x 1 EPJ Quantum Technology, v.10, no.1 EPJ Quantum Technology 10 1 Y scie scopus 001102150000001 Quantum Science & Technology Optics Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical Physics Optics Article FIELD-TEST SECURITY PLUG Entity authentication Quantum key distribution network Deterministic random bit generation