Skip to main content

NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Commodity Security Protocols: Introduction and Integration

Published

Author(s)

Alan Mink

Abstract

We present an overview of quantum key distribution (QKD), a secure key exchange method based on the quantum laws of physics rather than computational complexity. We also provide an overview of the two most widely used commodity security protocols, IPsec and TLS. Pursuing a key exchange model, we propose how QKD could be integrated into these security applications. For such a QKD integration we propose a support layer that provides a set of common QKD services between the QKD protocol and the security applications.
Citation
IEEE Security and Privacy Magazine

Keywords

QKD, IPsec, TLS, security protocol, cryptography, key exchange

Citation

Mink, A. (2009), Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Commodity Security Protocols: Introduction and Integration, IEEE Security and Privacy Magazine, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=901508 (Accessed October 10, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created July 1, 2009, Updated February 19, 2017
Was this page helpful?