RINGS: Bringing Post-Quantum Cryptography to Large-Scale NextG Systems

虽然即将到来的5G/6G系统的承诺之一是在覆盖范围和性能方面提供更高的性能，但将数百万物联网（IoT）设备集成到下一代网络（NextG）中需要做出重大努力。随着NextG系统的连接设备越来越多，来自经典计算机和量子计算机的网络威胁的攻击面也将扩大。更重要的是，随着构建量子计算机的进展变得越来越现实，在设计和部署用于传输和静止数据的NextG系统时，将端到端抗量子安全协议适应到NextG系统中是谨慎的。该项目将以前所未有的方式整合量子安全设备级安全、无线网络、安全管理和网络评估等概念。主要项目活动包括以下内容：(i)研究部署在NextG系统中物联网设备的量子安全加密算法，（ii） NextG系统中有效的量子安全证书管理，以及（iii） NextG系统中量子安全加密的端到端部署和评估。潜在的成果将集中在为社会带来重大利益上，因为该项目将提高日常连接的安全性，抵御赞助攻击者的攻击，未来可以访问量子计算机，使国防和商业实体受益。该项目还将为代表性不足的学生提供培训机会，让他们在现实生活中的5G测试台上进行量子密码研究。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

While one of the promises of the upcoming 5G/6G systems is to offer increased performance in terms of coverage and performance, there is a major effort in integrating millions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices into Next Generation Networks (NextG). As there will be more and more connected devices per capabilities of NextG systems, the attack surface for cyberthreats arising from both classical and quantum computers will also be expanded. More importantly, as the progress in building quantum computers is becoming more realistic, it is prudent to adapt end-to-end quantum-resistant security protocols into the NextG systems as they get designed and deployed for data in-transit and at-rest. This project will integrate concepts from quantum-safe device level security, wireless networking, security management and network evaluation in ways that have not been studied before. Major project activities include the following: (i) investigation of quantum-safe cryptography algorithms for the IoT devices deployed in NextG systems, (ii) efficient quantum-safe certificate management in NextG systems, and (iii) end-to-end deployment and evaluations of quantum-safe cryptography in NextG systems. Potential outcomes will focus on bringing significant benefits to society as the project will increase the security of everyday connections against the attacks from sponsored attackers with future access to quantum computers benefiting both defense and commercial entities. This project will also offer training opportunities for under-represented students to conduct quantum-cryptographic research on a real-life 5G testbed.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.