Project Overview
We are developing a quantum-resistant blockchain communication protocol specifically designed for IP5's decentralized platform. This protocol ensures secure communications between nodes even in the presence of cryptographically relevant quantum computers.
Technical Implementation
Our implementation utilizes CRYSTALS-Kyber (now standardized as ML-KEM by NIST) as the key encapsulation mechanism for securing AES encryption keys used in inter-node communications.
Key Encapsulation Process:
Each node generates a Kyber key pair $(pk, sk)$ where:
$$pk = \text{Kyber.KeyGen}() \rightarrow (pk, sk)$$
For secure communication, the sender encapsulates a shared secret:
$$\text{Kyber.Encaps}(pk) \rightarrow (ct, ss)$$
The receiver decapsulates to obtain the same shared secret:
$$\text{Kyber.Decaps}(sk, ct) \rightarrow ss$$
This shared secret $ss$ is then used as the AES-256 key for symmetric encryption of all node communications.
Security Benefits
The protocol provides comprehensive protection against both classical and quantum attacks:
- Quantum Resistance: Kyber is based on lattice cryptography, resistant to Shor's algorithm
- Performance: Efficient key generation and encapsulation suitable for real-time communications
- Standardization: NIST-approved algorithm ensuring regulatory compliance
- Hybrid Security: Can be combined with traditional methods during transition periods
Implementation Details
The protocol is designed to integrate seamlessly with IP5's EVM-compatible blockchain architecture:
- Node Authentication: Each node maintains a certified Kyber public key
- Session Management: Dynamic key rotation for enhanced security
- Consensus Integration: Compatible with IP5's PoWOSA consensus mechanism
- Light Node Support: Optimized for resource-constrained environments