Game Theoretic Security Framework for Quantum Key Distribution

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a game-theoretic model of security for quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols. QKD protocols allow two parties to agree on a shared secret key, secure against an adversary bounded only by the laws of physics (as opposed to classical key distribution protocols which, by necessity, require computational assumptions to be placed on the power of an adversary). We investigate a novel framework of security using game theory where all participants (including the adversary) are rational. We will show that, in this framework, certain impossibility results for QKD in the standard adversarial model of security still remain true here. However, we will also show that improved key-rate efficiency is possible in our game-theoretic security model.