arXiv subjects

Alin-Bogdan Popa

Publications and source records attributed to Alin-Bogdan Popa.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

In QKD, Key Metadata is Key

Federated interconnected QKD networks are becoming the norm, and with several standards already in place, interoperability is now technically feasible. Many aspects related to cross-domain key distribution, however, are left unresolved: breach announcement and mitigation, integration with the space segment, extension to a future QKD-as-a-Service commercial model, custom requests referring to key freshness, jurisdictions, security levels, etc. We argue that, to move from syntactic to semantic interoperability, a common language must be developed to ensure transfer of meaning along with the keys. We posit this is possible via QKD key metadata, and we propose a 6-step process to develop it as a standard.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2024

CEF: Connecting Elaborate Federal QKD Networks

As QKD infrastructure becomes increasingly complex while being developed by different actors (typically national governments), interconnecting them into a federated network of very elaborate sub-networks that maintain a high degree of autonomy will pose unique challenges. We identify several such challenges and propose a 4-step orchestration framework to address them based on centralized research, target network planning, optimal QKD design, and protocol enforcement.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2024

The Future of QKD Networks

With the recent advancements in quantum technologies, the QKD market exploded. World players are scrambling to win the race towards global QKD networks, even before the rules and policies required by such large endeavors were even discussed. Several vendors are on the market, each with specific parameters and advantages (in terms of key rate, link range, KMS software, etc.), hence considerable effort is now made towards standardization. While quantum communications is expected to reach a market size of up to \$36B by 2040, the largest QKD initiative to date is EuroQCI, which, due to its sheer scale, is forcing the market to mature. Although building a QKD network is believed to be trivial today, inter-connecting federated networks on a global scale is a heavy challenge. We propose QKD virtual networks not only as a useful infrastructure abstraction for increased flexibility and granular security, but as an inevitable solution for several problems that future QKD networks will encounter on the way towards widespread adoption.

cs.NI↗