Post Quantum Cryptographic Keys Generated with Physical Unclonable Functions

• Main Authors: Bertrand Cambou, Michael Gowanlock, Bahattin Yildiz, Dina Ghanaimiandoab, Kaitlyn Lee, Stefan Nelson, Christopher Philabaum, Alyssa Stenberg, Jordan Wright
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: Lattice cryptography; code cryptography; post quantum cryptography; physical unclonable function; public key infrastructure; high performance computing
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/6/2801

Lattice and code cryptography can replace existing schemes such as elliptic curve cryptography because of their resistance to quantum computers. In support of public key infrastructures, the distribution, validation and storage of the cryptographic keys is then more complex for handling longer keys. This paper describes practical ways to generate keys from physical unclonable functions, for both lattice and code-based cryptography. Handshakes between client devices containing the physical unclonable functions (PUFs) and a server are used to select sets of addressable positions in the PUFs, from which streams of bits called seeds are generated on demand. The public and private cryptographic key pairs are computed from these seeds together with additional streams of random numbers. The method allows the server to independently validate the public key generated by the PUF, and act as a certificate authority in the network. Technologies such as high performance computing, and graphic processing units can further enhance security by preventing attackers from making this independent validation when only equipped with less powerful computers.