Towards a framework for the implementation of a secure quantum teleportation infrastructure in South Africa

Abstract

The availability of high-speed/high-volume Data Link Layer (Layer 2) transmission networks fuelled by the implementation of mission critical and performance-intensive technologies, such as Cloud and Data Centre services transmitting sensitive data over the wide area network (WAN) has shifted the attention of hackers, eavesdroppers, cyber-criminals and other malicious attackers to the exploitation of these data transmission technologies. It is argued that security on the current classical technologies that store, transmit and manipulate information on the OSI Layer 2 have historically not been adequately addressed when it comes to secure communication and exchange of information. Quantum teleportation (QT) stemming from quantum communication a branch of quantum information science (QIS) has emerged as a technology that promise unconditional security and providing new ways to design and develop frameworks that operate based on the laws of quantum physics. It is argued that it has a potential to address the data transmission security GAP for OSI layer 2 technologies. This research study aims to propose a framework for the implementation of secure quantum teleportation infrastructures in South Africa. There is currently a lack of generic models and methods to guide the implementation of QT infrastructures that will enable secure transmission of information. A design science research (DSR) was undertaken in order to develop a secure quantum teleportation artefact called (SecureQT-Framework). SecureQT-Framework is a generic model and method that guides the selection and implementation of QT infrastructures motivated by multi-disciplinary domains such as QIS, Quantum Physics, Computer Science as well as information and communication technology (ICT). The DSR process employed a primary DSR cycle with four DSR sub-cycles which involved the awareness and suggestion phase guided by a systematic literature review (SLR), development and evaluation phase guided by Software Defined Network’s OpenFlow, Mininet, Mininet-Wifi and computer simulations for QT using SQUANCH framework. We investigated, examined and collected credible QT techniques and its variant protocols to develop and simulate secure transmission of information over the WAN, We studied their features and challenges. We concluded the study by describing the QT techniques, protocols and implementations that has potential to bridge the security GAP for OSI Layer 2 technologies over the WAN. The results gained were used in the construction of a framework for the implementation of a secure quantum teleportation infrastructure in South Africa. The framework describes the main factors that need to be taken into consideration when implementing quantum teleportation infrastructures.