Improving the Security of CHAP Protocol by Quantum Cryptography

Abstract

Quantum Cryptography or Quantum key distribution (QKD) is new method that allows the secure distribution of a bit string, used as key in cryptographic protocols. Extensive researches have been undertaken on Quantum Cryptography since it was noted that quantum computers could break public key cryptosystems based on number theory. Quantum Cryptography offers unconditionally secure communication based on laws of quantum physics. Actually, there is a strong need of research to use this technology in the existing communication networks. We explore in this paper, the possibility of exploiting QKD in the authentication process for local area networks (LANs). Precisely, we have elaborated a scheme to integrate the new technique of QKD in the CHAP protocol (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) to enhance the security of the authentication service.