Table of Links
2. Context
2.1. Quantum computing as a threat to cryptography
2.2. Current approaches for quantum-safe cryptography
2.3. Blockchain and the LACChain Blockchain Network
3. The vulnerabilities of blockchain technology with the advent of quantum computing
4. A Proposal for a Quantum-Safe Blockchain Network
5. Implementation and 5.1 Generation and distribution of quantum entropy
5.2. Generation of Post-Quantum Certificates
5.3. Encapsulation of the communication between nodes using quantum-safe cryptography
5.4. Signature of transactions using post-quantum keys
5.5. On-chain verification of post-quantum signatures
6. Conclusions and next steps, Acknowledgements, and References
2 Context
2.1 Quantum computing as a threat to cryptography
Theoretical results, such as Shor’s algorithm [17], and state-of-the-art quantum computing technology in conjunction with expected near-to-mid future scalability and robust developments have attracted the attention of international standards agencies in cyber security and cryptography, including NIST [22], NSA [23], and ETSI [24]. They have made critical warnings that running some quantum algorithms on full-scale quantum computers will necessitate the protection of internet and telecommunication information exchanges for widely used cryptography protocols. Most notably, NIST is currently running a post-quantum cryptography competition for standardization to replace existing cryptographic algorithms that are susceptible to breakage using quantum computers [25].
In general, physical channels currently used to transmit digital information are unprotected (e.g., optical fibers or wireless transmissions) and the security of data exchanges within these channels relies on cryptographic protocols. It is only a matter of time before large and robust quantum computers capable of breaking current cryptographic protocols are built. It is crucial that we be prepared for these future technologies, especially in order to investigate the transition to quantumsafe cryptography for blockchain technologies.
Authors:
(1) M. Allende, IDB - Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Ave, Washington DC, USA and LACChain - Global Alliance for the Development of the Blockchain Ecosystem in LAC;
(2) D. López Leon, IDB - Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Ave, Washington DC, USA and LACChain - Global Alliance for the Development of the Blockchain Ecosystem in LAC;
(3) S. Ceron, IDB - Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Ave, Washington DC, USA and LACChain - Global Alliance for the Development of the Blockchain Ecosystem in LAC;
(4) A. Leal, IDB - Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Ave, Washington DC, USA and LACChain - Global Alliance for the Development of the Blockchain Ecosystem in LAC;
(5) A. Pareja, IDB - Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Ave, Washington DC, USA and LACChain - Global Alliance for the Development of the Blockchain Ecosystem in LAC;
(6) M. Da Silva, IDB - Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Ave, Washington DC, USA and LACChain - Global Alliance for the Development of the Blockchain Ecosystem in LAC;
(7) A. Pardo, IDB - Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Ave, Washington DC, USA and LACChain - Global Alliance for the Development of the Blockchain Ecosystem in LAC;
(8) D. Jones, Cambridge Quantum Computing - Cambridge, United Kingdom;
(9) D.J. Worrall, Cambridge Quantum Computing - Cambridge, United Kingdom;
(10) B. Merriman, Cambridge Quantum Computing - Cambridge, United Kingdom;
(11) J. Gilmore, Cambridge Quantum Computing - Cambridge, United Kingdom;
(12) N. Kitchener, Cambridge Quantum Computing - Cambridge, United Kingdom;
(13) S.E. Venegas-Andraca, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias. Monterrey, NL Mexico.
This paper is available on arxiv under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED license.
