Network-centric quantum communications (NQC) - a new, scalable instantiation of quantum cryptography providing key management with forward security for lightweight encryption, authentication and digital signatures in optical networks - is briefly described. Results from a multi-node experimental test-bed utilizing integrated photonics quantum communications components, known as QKarDs, include: quantum identification; verifiable quantum secret sharing; multi-party authenticated key establishment, including group keying; and single-fiber quantum-secured communications that can be applied as a security retrofit/upgrade to existing optical fiber installations. A demonstration that NQC meets the challenging simultaneous latency and security requirements of electric grid control communications, which cannot be met without compromises using conventional cryptography, is described.
@article{arxiv.1305.0305,
title = {Network-Centric Quantum Communications with Application to Critical Infrastructure Protection},
author = {Richard J. Hughes and Jane E. Nordholt and Kevin P. McCabe and Raymond T. Newell and Charles G. Peterson and Rolando D. Somma},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1305.0305},
year = {2013}
}