Quantum and postquantum cryptography

1. Shannon’s model of secure communication, theoretical foundations and context
2. Cryptography based on the computational complexity of integer factorization and the discrete logarithm problem
3. Challenges of conventional cryptography in the era of quantum computers: Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms
4. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD): discrete DV-QKD (BB84 and B92) and continuous CV-QKD, Part I
5. QKD – Part II: hybrid protocols (decoy-state BB84), entanglement-based QKD (E91)
6. QKD link and QKD node models, communication with a QKD node via REST API, ETSI GS QKD 014 and GS QKD 004 standards (enabling QoS)
7. QKD networks: communication through trusted nodes, quantum repeaters, methods to extend range, key management systems, and inter-domain trust
8. QoS assurance in QKD networks, Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), Open Quantum Safe project and the liboqs library
9. PQC – multivariate cryptography, lattice-based cryptography, and code-based cryptography
10. GHZ states and (k,n) threshold schemes, Bell’s theorem and conditional entropy

Seminars
W1, W2, W3 – Laboratory safety, practicing cipher type recognition, examples of using the OpenSSL library, practical applications with conventional algorithms, exercises on Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms.
W4 – Laboratory exercise, demonstration of QKD using the Thorlabs educational kit and a showcase of a QKD link.
W5 – Knowledge check, Test no. 1 (10 points). Assignment of the semester project worth 20 points.
W6, W7, W8 – Practice with REST API for key retrieval in different standards, working with a QKD link simulator, QKD network simulation in the NS-3 environment.
W9 – Post-quantum cryptography, working with the liboqs library, application use cases.
W10 – Test no. 2 (10 points) and submission of the semester project worth 20 points.