Design and Implementation of a Testbed Setup for Evaluating PQC and QKD Integration in Critical Infrastructure Environments
Author
Reiter, Márton
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2025
Abstract
Advances in quantum computing pose long-term risks to classical cryptography. This thesis examines how quantum-safe technologies—Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)—can be integrated into application-layer communication for critical infrastructure, and how such integration can be evaluated. A custom testbed was designed and implemented and exercised in two illustrative scenarios: (1) a radar-based use case combining symmetric encryption with QKD-derived keys and PQC-based message authentication, and (2) a generalized high-load scenario simulating intensive QKD key requests to a single device. The experimental evaluation focused on latency and the operational stability of QKD devices under both conditions. Results indicate that PQC can be incorporated into existing systems with minimal disruption, whereas QKD integration remains challenging due to current hardware limitations. The findings offer practical guidance for deploying quantum-resistant systems and highlight design considerations for future architectures operating in constrained or performance-sensitive environments.
Kvantecomputere udfordrer klassiske kryptosystemers langsigtede sikkerhed. Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan kvantesikre teknologier – Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) og Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) – kan integreres i applikationslagskommunikation i kritisk infrastruktur, og hvordan integrationen kan evalueres. Der er designet og implementeret et skræddersyet testbed, som blev afprøvet i to illustrative scenarier: (1) en radarbaseret use-case, hvor symmetrisk kryptering anvender QKD-afledte nøgler kombineret med PQC-baseret meddelelsesautentificering, og (2) et generaliseret højbelastningsscenarie, der simulerer intensive QKD-nøgleanmodninger til en enkelt enhed. Evalueringen fokuserede på latenstid og QKD-udstyrets driftsstabilitet under begge forhold. Resultaterne viser, at PQC kan integreres i eksisterende systemer med minimale forstyrrelser, mens QKD-integration fortsat er udfordrende på grund af nuværende hardwarebegrænsninger. Arbejdet giver praktiske indsigter i udrulning af kvantemodstandsdygtige systemer og peger på designhensyn for fremtidige arkitekturer i miljøer med begrænsede ressourcer eller skarpe ydelseskrav.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]