Information Security and Trust in a Space Communications Network

As with any vital military resource, the Army space communications network is clearly a target for adversary forces. The need to securely transfer information and guarantee delivery from the trusted source to the ultimate information user is essential to Army mission success. Army space communications networks currently rely on traditional cryptography schemes. Traditional cryptography (based on computation al difficulty) is inherently vulnerable to advances in processing power and decryption algorithms. Quantum cryptography (based on the physics of quantum mechanics) technology promises proven unconditional data security. Building on current quantum cryptography research, SOLUTE proposes to develop a practical data security system an end-to-end information security and trust for use with Army space communications networks. The SOLUTE technical approach is based on an integration of fiber-based and free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) technologies with a custom QKD management software to provide a seamless user interface with Army space communications networks.