Dragos Ilie, Kostis Karantias, William J. Knottenbelt
No abstract is available for this record.
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Dragos Ilie, Kostis Karantias, William J. Knottenbelt
No abstract is available for this record.
Aly Ibrahim
No-signalling (NOSIG) correlations, that are stronger than those allowed by quantum entanglement yet do not violate relativistic causality, are a valuable resource for understanding information processing systems. Such correlations can be achieved between non-communicating players in games when the players use what is called non-local strategies, and can give the players better odds at winning in these games. We propose definitions for non-local strategies in relativistic multi-player non-local games. We prove a conjecture by Crépeau stating that any non-local strategy that can be simultaneously produced by any pi-signalling strategy in a multi-player non-local game, has to be a NOSIG strategy. Pi-signalling strategies are achieved when 1-way signalling is allowed between players arranged on a line defined by some permutation. This result gives us a better understanding of how NOSIG strategies fit with the other non-local strategies, and can help in constructing novel NOSIG multi-player strategies and help prove they produce NOSIG correlations. Finally, we extend the definition of zero-knowledge proof systems to the relativistic multi-prover, multi-verifier setting, and propose definitions for what it means for a non-local strategy to have polynomial time complexity
Tiago M. Fernández‐Caramés, Paula Fraga‐Lamas
Blockchain and other Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) have evolved significantly in the last years and their use has been suggested for numerous applications due to their ability to provide transparency, redundancy and accountability. In the case of blockchain, such characteristics are provided through public-key cryptography and hash functions. However, the fast progress of quantum computing has opened the possibility of performing attacks based on Grover's and Shor's algorithms in the near future. Such algorithms threaten both public-key cryptography and hash functions, forcing to redesign blockchains to make use of cryptosystems that withstand quantum attacks, thus creating which are known as post-quantum, quantum-proof, quantum-safe or quantum-resistant cryptosystems. For such a purpose, this article first studies current state of the art on post-quantum cryptosystems and how they can be applied to blockchains and DLTs. Moreover, the most relevant post-quantum blockchain systems are studied, as well as their main challenges. Furthermore, extensive comparisons are provided on the characteristics and performance of the most promising post-quantum public-key encryption and digital signature schemes for blockchains. Thus, this article seeks to provide a broad view and useful guidelines on post-quantum blockchain security to future blockchain researchers and developers.
Anne Broadbent, Alex B. Grilo
We provide several advances to the understanding of the class of Quantum Merlin-Arthur proof systems (QMA), the quantum analogue of NP. First, we answer a longstanding open question by showing that the Consistency of Local Density Matrices problem is QMA-complete under Karp reductions. We also show for the first time a commit-and-open computational zero-knowledge proof system for all of QMA as a quantum analogue of a sigma protocol. We then define a Proof of Quantum Knowledge, which guarantees that a prover is effectively in possession of a quantum witness in an interactive proof, and show that our zero-knowledge proof system satisfies this definition. Finally, we show that our proof system can be used to establish that QMA has a quantum non-interactive zero-knowledge proof system in the secret parameters setting. Our main technique consists in developing locally simulatable proofs for all of QMA: this is an encoding of a QMA witness such that it can be efficiently verified by probing only five qubits and, furthermore, the reduced density matrix of any five-qubit subsystem can be computed in polynomial time and is independent of the witness. This construction follows the techniques of Grilo, Slofstra, and Yuen [FOCS 2019].
Wanyang Dai
We model the hardware and software architecture for generalized Internet of Things (IoT) by quantum cloud-computing and blockchain. To reduce the measurement error and increase the efficiency of quantum entanglement (i.e. the capability of fault tolerance) in the current quantum computers and communications, we design a quantum-computing chip by modelling it as a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) quantum channel and obtain its channel capacity via our recently derived mutual information formula. To capture the internal qubit data flow dynamics of the channel, we model it via a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) with generalized stochastic pooling in terms of resource-competition among different quantum eigenmodes or users. The pooling is corresponding to a resource allocation policy with two levels of competitions as in cognitive radio: the first one is on users’ selection in a ‘win–lose’ manner; the second one is on resourcesharing among selected users in a ‘win–win’ manner. To wit, our scheduling policy is the one by mixing a saddle point to a zero-sum game problem and a Pareto optimal Nash equilibrium point to a nonzero- sum game problem. The effectiveness of our policy is proved by diffusion modelling with theory and numerical examples.
Nils Paz, S. J. Silverman, John Harmon
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a shared, synchronized and replicated data spread spatially and temporally with no centralized administration and/or storage. Each node has a complete and identical set of records. All participants contribute to building and maintaining the distributed ledger. Current DLT technologies fall into two broad categories. Those that use block-chains such as in Bitcoin or Ethereum, and newer approaches which reduce computational loads for verification. All current approaches though difficult to crack can be vulnerable to quantum algorithms using Quantum Information Technologies (QIT). This effort joins the 2 technologies, constructing a Quantum Distributed Ledger (QDL) which provides a higher level of security using QIT and a decentralized data depository using DLT. This enhanced security prevents middleman attacks with quantum computers yet retains the advantages of a decentralized ledger of data.
Xin Sun, Mirek Sopek, Quanlong Wang, Piotr Kulicki
While Blockchain technology is universally considered as a significant technology for the near future, some of its pillars are under a threat of another thriving technology, Quantum Computing. In this paper, we propose important safeguard measures against this threat by developing a framework of a quantum-secured, permissioned blockchain called Logicontract (LC). LC adopts a digital signature scheme based on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) mechanisms and a vote-based consensus algorithm to achieve consensus on the blockchain. The main contribution of this paper is in the development of: (1) unconditionally secure signature scheme for LC which makes it immune to the attack of quantum computers; (2) scalable consensus protocol used by LC; (3) logic-based scripting language for the creation of smart contracts on LC; (4) quantum-resistant lottery protocol which illustrates the power and usage of LC.
Benjamin Morrison, Adam Groce
We study the relationship between problems solvable by quantum algorithms in polynomial time and those for which zero-knowledge proofs exist. In prior work, Aaronson [arxiv:quant-ph/0111102] showed an oracle separation between BQP and SZK, i.e. an oracle $A$ such that $\mathrm{SZK}^A \not\subseteq \mathrm{BQP}^A$. In this paper we give a simple extension of Aaronson's result to non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs with perfect security. This class, NIPZK, is the most restrictive zero-knowledge class. We show that even for this class we can construct an $A$ with $\mathrm{NIPZK}^A \not\subseteq \mathrm{BQP}^A$.
Benjamin Morrison, Adam Groce
We study the relationship between problems solvable by quantum algorithms in\npolynomial time and those for which zero-knowledge proofs exist. In prior work,\nAaronson [arxiv:quant-ph/0111102] showed an oracle separation between BQP and\nSZK, i.e. an oracle $A$ such that $\\mathrm{SZK}^A \\not\\subseteq\n\\mathrm{BQP}^A$. In this paper we give a simple extension of Aaronson's result\nto non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs with perfect security. This class,\nNIPZK, is the most restrictive zero-knowledge class. We show that even for this\nclass we can construct an $A$ with $\\mathrm{NIPZK}^A \\not\\subseteq\n\\mathrm{BQP}^A$.\n
Alex B. Grilo, William Slofstra, Henry Yuen
In this work we consider the interplay between multiprover interactive proofs, quantum entanglement, and zero knowledge proofs - notions that are central pillars of complexity theory, quantum information and cryptography. In particular, we study the relationship between the complexity class MIP*, the set of languages decidable by multiprover interactive proofs with quantumly entangled provers, and the class PZK-MIP*, which is the set of languages decidable by MIP* protocols that furthermore possess the perfect zero knowledge property. Our main result is that the two classes are equal, i.e., MIP* = PZK-MIP*. This result provides a quantum analogue of the celebrated result of Ben-Or, Goldwasser, Kilian, and Wigderson (STOC 1988) who show that MIP = PZK-MIP (in other words, all classical multiprover interactive protocols can be made zero knowledge). We prove our result by showing that every MIP* protocol can be efficiently transformed into an equivalent zero knowledge MIP* protocol in a manner that preserves the completeness-soundness gap. Combining our transformation with previous results, we obtain the corollaries that i) all languages that can be solved in non-deterministic double exponential time have zero knowledge MIP* protocols and ii) all co-recursively enumerable languages (which include undecidable problems as well as all decidable problems) have zero knowledge MIP* protocols with vanishing promise gap.
Robert Campbell
This paper evaluates the current cybersecurity vulnerability of the prolific use of Elliptical Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (**ECDSA**) cryptography in use by the Bitcoin Core, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and enterprise blockchains such as Multi-Chain and Hyperledger projects Fabric, and Sawtooth Lake. These blockchains are being used in media, health, finance, transportation and government with little understanding, acknowledgment of the risk and no known plans for mitigation and migration to safer public-key cryptography. The second aim is to evaluate ECDSA against the threat of **Quantum Computing** and propose the most practical National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Post-Quantum Cryptography candidate algorithm lattice-based cryptography countermeasure that can be implemented near-term and provide a basis for a coordinated industry-wide lattice-based public-key implementation. Commercial quantum computing research and development is rapid and unpredictable, and it is difficult to predict the arrival of fault-tolerant quantum computing. The current state of covert and classified quantum computing research and advancement is unknown and therefore, it would be a significant risk to blockchain and Internet technologies to delay or wait for the publication of draft standards. Since there are many hurdles Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) must overcome for standardisation, coordinated large-scale testing and evaluation should commence promptly.
Lake Bu, Rashmi Agrawal, Hai Cheng, Michel A. Kinsy
The development and implementation of post-quantum cryptosystems have become a pressing issue in the design of secure computing systems, as general quantum computers have become more feasible in the last two years. In this work, we introduce a set of hardware post-quantum cryptographic primitives (PCPs) consisting of four frequently used security components, i.e., public-key cryptosystem (PKC), key exchange (KEX), oblivious transfer (OT), and zero-knowledge proof (ZKP). In addition, we design a high speed polynomial multiplier to accelerate these primitives. These primitives will aid researchers and designers in constructing quantum-proof secure computing systems in the post-quantum era.
Yusuke Kinoshita
Zero-knowledge and multi-prover systems are both central notions in classical and quantum complexity theory. There is, however, little research in quantum multi-prover zero-knowledge systems. This paper studies complexity-theoretical aspects of the quantum multi-prover zero-knowledge systems. This paper has two results: 1.QMIP* systems with honest zero-knowledge can be converted into general zero-knowledge systems without any assumptions. 2.QMIP* has computational quantum zero-knowledge systems if a natural computational conjecture holds. One of the main tools is a test (called the GHZ test) that uses GHZ states shared by the provers, which prevents the verifier's attack in the above two results. Another main tool is what we call the Local Hamiltonian based Interactive protocol (LHI protocol). The LHI protocol makes previous research for Local Hamiltonians applicable to check the history state of interactive proofs, and we then apply Broadbent et al.'s zero-knowledge protocol for QMA \cite{BJSW} to quantum multi-prover systems in order to obtain the second result.
Adam Bennet, Shakib Daryanoosh
We outline a quantum-enabled blockchain architecture based on a consortium of quantum servers. The network is hybridised, utilising digital systems for sharing and processing classical information combined with a fibre--optic infrastructure and quantum devices for transmitting and processing quantum information. We deliver an energy efficient interactive mining protocol enacted between clients and servers which uses quantum information encoded in light and removes the need for trust in network infrastructure. Instead, clients on the network need only trust the transparent network code, and that their devices adhere to the rules of quantum physics. To demonstrate the energy efficiency of the mining protocol, we elaborate upon the results of two previous experiments (one performed over 1km of optical fibre) as applied to this work. Finally, we address some key vulnerabilities, explore open questions, and observe forward--compatibility with the quantum internet and quantum computing technologies.
Thomas Vidick, Tina Zhang
We show that every language in QMA admits a classical-verifier, quantum-prover zero-knowledge argument system which is sound against quantum polynomial-time provers and zero-knowledge for classical (and quantum) polynomial-time verifiers. The protocol builds upon two recent results: a computational zero-knowledge proof system for languages in QMA, with a quantum verifier, introduced by Broadbent et al. (FOCS 2016), and an argument system for languages in QMA, with a classical verifier, introduced by Mahadev (FOCS 2018).
Peter B. Rønne, Arash Atashpendar, Kristian Gjøsteen, Peter Y. A. Ryan
We present an approach for performing the tallying work in the coercion-resistant JCJ voting protocol, introduced by Juels, Catalano, and Jakobsson, in linear time using fully homomorphic encryption (FHE). The suggested enhancement also paves the path towards making JCJ quantum-resistant, while leaving the underlying structure of JCJ intact. The exhaustive, comparison-based approach of JCJ using plaintext equivalence tests leads to a quadratic blow-up in the number of votes, which makes the tallying process rather impractical in realistic settings with a large number of voters. We show how the removal of invalid votes can be done in linear time via a solution based on recent advances in various FHE primitives such as hashing, zero-knowledge proofs of correct decryption, verifiable shuffles and threshold FHE. We conclude by touching upon some of the advantages and challenges of such an approach, followed by a discussion of further security and post-quantum considerations.
Chuntang Li, Yinsong Xu, Jiahao Tang, Wenjie Liu
Quantum blockchain can be understood as a decentralized, encrypted and distributed database based on quantum computation and quantum information theory. Once the data is recorded in the quantum blockchain, it will not be maliciously tampered with. In recent years, the development of quantum computation and quantum information theory makes more and more researchers focus on the research of quantum blockchain. In this paper, we review the developments in the field of quantum blockchain, and briefly analyze its advantages compared with the classical blockchain. The construction and the framework of the quantum blockchain are introduced. Then we introduce the method of applying quantum technology to a certain part of the general blockchain. In addition, the advantages of quantum blockchain compared with classical blockchain and its development prospects are summarized.
Daniel Kales, Sebastian Ramacher, Christian Rechberger, Roman Walch · 5 authors
Post-quantum cryptography has received increased attention in recent years, in particular, due to the standardization effort by NIST. One of the second-round candidates in the NIST post-quantum standardization project is Picnic, a post-quantum secure signature scheme based on efficient zero-knowledge proofs of knowledge. In this work, we present the first FPGA implementation of Picnic. We show how to efficiently calculate LowMC, the block cipher used as a one-way function in Picnic, in hardware despite the large number of constants needed during computation. We then combine our LowMC implementation and efficient instantiations of Keccak to build the full Picnic algorithm. Additionally, we conform to recently proposed hardware interfaces for post-quantum schemes to enable easier comparisons with other designs. We provide evaluations of our Picnic implementation for both, the standalone design and a version wrapped with a PCIe interface, and compare them to the state-of-the-art software implementations of Picnic and similar hardware designs. Concretely, signing messages on our FPGA takes 0.25 ms for the L1 security level and 1.24 ms for the L5 security level, beating existing optimized software implementations by a factor of 4.
Shalev Ben-David, Robin Kothari
We define a new query measure we call quantum distinguishing complexity, denoted QD(f) for a Boolean function f. Unlike a quantum query algorithm, which must output a state close to |0> on a 0-input and a state close to |1> on a 1-input, a "quantum distinguishing algorithm" can output any state, as long as the output states for any 0-input and 1-input are distinguishable. \nUsing this measure, we establish a new relationship in query complexity: For all total functions f, Q_0(f)=O~(Q(f)^5), where Q_0(f) and Q(f) denote the zero-error and bounded-error quantum query complexity of f respectively, improving on the previously known sixth power relationship. \nWe also define a query measure based on quantum statistical zero-knowledge proofs, QSZK(f), which is at most Q(f). We show that QD(f) in fact lower bounds QSZK(f) and not just Q(f). QD(f) also upper bounds the (positive-weights) adversary bound, which yields the following relationships for all f: Q(f) >= QSZK(f) >= QD(f) = Omega(Adv(f)). This sheds some light on why the adversary bound proves suboptimal bounds for problems like Collision and Set Equality, which have low QSZK complexity. \nLastly, we show implications for lifting theorems in communication complexity. We show that a general lifting theorem for either zero-error quantum query complexity or for QSZK would imply a general lifting theorem for bounded-error quantum query complexity.
Chaoyang Li, Xiu‐Bo Chen, Yuling Chen, Yanyan Hou · 5 authors
Blockchain technology has gained significant prominence in recent years due to its public, distributed, and decentration characteristics, which was widely applied in all walks of life requiring distributed trustless consensus. However, the most cryptographic protocols used in the current blockchain networks are susceptible to the quantum attack with rapid development of a sufficiently large quantum computer. In this paper, we first give an overview of the vulnerabilities of the modern blockchain networks to a quantum adversary and some potential post-quantum mitigation methods. Then, a new lattice-based signature scheme has been proposed, which can be used to secure the blockchain network over existing classical channels. Meanwhile, the public and private keys are generated by the Bonsai Trees technology withRandBasisalgorithm from the root keys, which not only ensure the randomness, but also construct the lightweight nondeterministic wallets. Then, the proposed scheme can be proved secure in random oracle model, and it is also more efficient than similar literatures. In addition, we also give the detailed description of the post-quantum blockchain transaction. Furthermore, this work can help to enrich the research on the future post-quantum blockchain (PQB).
Iain Stewart, Dragos Ilie, Alexei Zamyatin, Sam M. Werner · 6 authors
Quantum computers are expected to have a dramatic impact on numerous fields due to their anticipated ability to solve classes of mathematical problems much more efficiently than their classical counterparts. This particularly applies to domains involving integer factorization and discrete logarithms, such as public key cryptography. In this paper, we consider the threats a quantum-capable adversary could impose on Bitcoin, which currently uses the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) to sign transactions. We then propose a simple but slow commit-delay-reveal protocol, which allows users to securely move their funds from old (non-quantum-resistant) outputs to those adhering to a quantum-resistant digital signature scheme. The transition protocol functions even if ECDSA has already been compromised. While our scheme requires modifications to the Bitcoin protocol, these can be implemented as a soft fork.
Xin Sun, Quanlong Wang, Piotr Kulicki, Mirek Sopek
This paper proposes a simple voting protocol based on Quantum Blockchain. Despite its simplicity, our protocol satisfies the most important properties of secure voting protocols: is anonymous, binding, non-reusable, verifiable, eligible, fair and self-tallying. The protocol could also be implemented using presently available technology.
Or Sattath
Grover's algorithm confers on quantum computers a quadratic advantage over classical computers for searching in an arbitrary data set, a scenario that describes Bitcoin mining. It has previously been argued that the only side-effect of quantum mining would be an increased difficulty. In this work, we argue that a crucial argument in the analysis of Bitcoin security breaks down when quantum mining is performed. Classically, a Bitcoin fork occurs rarely, i.e., when two miners find a block almost simultaneously, due to propagation time effects. The situation differs dramatically when quantum miners use Grover's algorithm, which repeatedly applies a procedure called a Grover iteration. The chances of finding a block grow quadratically with the number of Grover iterations applied. Crucially, a miner does not have to choose how many iterations to apply in advance. Suppose Alice receives Bob's new block. To maximize her revenue, she should stop and measure her state immediately in the hopes that her block (rather than Bob's) will become part of the longest chain. The strong correlation between the miners' actions and the fact that they all measure their states at the same time may lead to more forks -- which is known to be a security risk for Bitcoin. We propose a mechanism that, we conjecture, will prevent this form of quantum mining, thereby circumventing the high rate of forks.
Del Rajan, Matt Visser
We propose a conceptual design for a quantum blockchain. Our method involves encoding the blockchain into a temporal GHZ (Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger) state of photons that do not simultaneously coexist. It is shown that the entanglement in time, as opposed to an entanglement in space, provides the crucial quantum advantage. All the subcomponents of this system have already been shown to be experimentally realized. Furthermore, our encoding procedure can be interpreted as nonclassically influencing the past.