APPLYING POST-QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY BASED ON QUASI-CYCLIC CODES TO AERONAUTICAL MOBILE TELEMETRY

Abstract

The vulnerability of asymmetric cryptosystems to sufficiently-powerful quantum computers has propelled the rise of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Several cryptographic algorithms have proven promising candidates for replacing the current algorithms that are susceptible to quantum attacks. Among these candidates are public-key cryptosystems (PKCs) that are based on error correcting codes. PKCs can be wrapped in key encapsulation mechanisms (KEMs), which are recommended for post-quantum applications. We provide necessary background and explore two code-based KEMs based on quasi-cyclic codes: Bit Flipping Key Encapsulation and Hamming Quasi-Cyclic. Both KEMs were submitted to the fourth round of the National Institute of Stan dards and Technology’s PQC standardization process. For each KEM, we discuss the included algorithms, key sizes, and known attacks. We also show how these KEMs can be used in aeronau tical mobile telemetry to distribute symmetric Advanced Encryption Standard keys.