Pascal Junod

Bio: Pascal Junod is an academic researcher from University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland. The author has contributed to research in topics: Linear cryptanalysis & Encryption. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 60 publications receiving 1648 citations. Previous affiliations of Pascal Junod include École Normale Supérieure & École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Long-term performance of the SwissQuantum quantum key distribution network in a field environment

Abstract: In this paper, we report on the performance of the SwissQuantum quantum key distribution (QKD) network. The network was installed in the Geneva metropolitan area and ran for more than one-and-a-half years, from the end of March 2009 to the beginning of January 2011. The main goal of this experiment was to test the reliability of the quantum layer over a long period of time in a production environment. A key management layer has been developed to manage the key between the three nodes of the network. This QKD-secure network was utilized by end-users through an application layer.

How Far Can We Go Beyond Linear Cryptanalysis

Abstract: Several generalizations of linear cryptanalysis have been proposed in the past, as well as very similar attacks in a statistical point of view. In this paper, we define a rigorous general statistical framework which allows to interpret most of these attacks in a simple and unified way. Then, we explicitely construct optimal distinguishers, we evaluate their performance, and we prove that a block cipher immune to classical linear cryptanalysis possesses some resistance to a wide class of generalized versions, but not all. Finally, we derive tools which are necessary to set up more elaborate extensions of linear cryptanalysis, and to generalize the notions of bias, characteristic, and piling-up lemma.

Obfuscator-LLVM: software protection for the masses

Abstract: Software security with respect to reverse-engineering is a challenging discipline that has been researched for several years and which is still active. At the same time, this field is inherently practical, and thus of industrial relevance: indeed, protecting a piece of software against tampering, malicious modifications or reverse-engineering is a very difficult task. In this paper, we present and discuss a software obfuscation prototype tool based on the LLVM compilation suite. Our tool is built as different passes, where some of them have been open-sourced and are freely available, that work on the LLVM Intermediate Representation (IR) code. This approach brings several advantages, including the fact that it is language-agnostic and mostly independent of the target architecture. Our current prototype supports basic instruction substitutions, insertion of bogus control-flow constructs mixed with opaque predicates, control-flow flattening, procedures merging as well as a code tamper-proofing algorithm embedding code and data checksums directly in the control-flow flattening mechanism.

FOX: a new family of block ciphers

Abstract: In this paper, we describe the design of a new family of block ciphers based on a Lai-Massey scheme, named FOX. The main features of this design, besides a very high security level, are a large implementation flexibility on various platforms as well as high performances. In addition, we propose a new design of strong and efficient key-schedule algorithms. We provide evidence that FOX is immune to linear and differential cryptanalysis, and we discuss its security towards integral cryptanalysis, algebraic attacks, and other attacks.

A fast and versatile quantum key distribution system with hardware key distillation and wavelength multiplexing

Abstract: We present a compactly integrated, 625 MHz clocked coherent one-way quantum key distribution system which continuously distributes secret keys over an optical fibre link. To support high secret key rates, we implemented a fast hardware key distillation engine which allows for key distillation rates up to 4 Mbps in real time. The system employs wavelength multiplexing in order to run over only a single optical fibre. Using fast gated InGaAs single photon detectors, we reliably distribute secret keys with a rate above 21 kbps over 25 km of optical fibre. We optimized the system considering a security analysis that respects finite-key-size effects, authentication costs and system errors for a security parameter of eQKD = 4 × 10−9.

Quantum internet: A vision for the road ahead

Abstract: The internet-a vast network that enables simultaneous long-range classical communication-has had a revolutionary impact on our world. The vision of a quantum internet is to fundamentally enhance internet technology by enabling quantum communication between any two points on Earth. Such a quantum internet may operate in parallel to the internet that we have today and connect quantum processors in order to achieve capabilities that are provably impossible by using only classical means. Here, we propose stages of development toward a full-blown quantum internet and highlight experimental and theoretical progress needed to attain them.

Probability and Random Processes

Abstract: tions. Bootstrap has found many applications in engineering field, including artificial neural networks, biomedical engineering, environmental engineering, image processing, and radar and sonar signal processing. Basic concepts of the bootstrap are summarized in each section as a step-by-step algorithm for ease of implementation. Most of the applications are taken from the signal processing literature. The principles of the bootstrap are introduced in Chapter 2. Both the nonparametric and parametric bootstrap procedures are explained. Babu and Singh (1984) have demonstrated that in general, these two procedures behave similarly for pivotal (Studentized) statistics. The fact that the bootstrap is not the solution for all of the problems has been known to statistics community for a long time; however, this fact is rarely touched on in the manuscripts meant for practitioners. It was first observed by Babu (1984) that the bootstrap does not work in the infinite variance case. Bootstrap Techniques for Signal Processing explains the limitations of bootstrap method with an example. I especially liked the presentation style. The basic results are stated without proofs; however, the application of each result is presented as a simple step-by-step process, easy for nonstatisticians to follow. The bootstrap procedures, such as moving block bootstrap for dependent data, along with applications to autoregressive models and for estimation of power spectral density, are also presented in Chapter 2. Signal detection in the presence of noise is generally formulated as a testing of hypothesis problem. Chapter 3 introduces principles of bootstrap hypothesis testing. The topics are introduced with interesting real life examples. Flow charts, typical in engineering literature, are used to aid explanations of the bootstrap hypothesis testing procedures. The bootstrap leads to second-order correction due to pivoting; this improvement in the results due to pivoting is also explained. In the second part of Chapter 3, signal processing is treated as a regression problem. The performance of the bootstrap for matched filters as well as constant false-alarm rate matched filters is also illustrated. Chapters 2 and 3 focus on estimation problems. Chapter 4 introduces bootstrap methods used in model selection. Due to the inherent structure of the subject matter, this chapter may be difficult for nonstatisticians to follow. Chapter 5 is the most impressive chapter in the book, especially from the standpoint of statisticians. It provides real data bootstrap applications to illustrate the theory covered in the earlier chapters. These include applications to optimal sensor placement for knock detection and land-mine detection. The authors also provide a MATLAB toolbox comprising frequently used routines. Overall, this is a very useful handbook for engineers, especially those working in signal processing.

Secure quantum key distribution

Abstract: An overview is given of the state-of-the-art research into secure communication based on quantum cryptography. The present security model together with its assumptions, strengths and weaknesses is discussed. Recent experimental progress and remaining challenges are surveyed as are the latest developments in quantum hacking and countermeasures.

Boolean Models and Methods in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering: Boolean Functions for Cryptography and Error-Correcting Codes

Abstract: Introduction A fundamental objective of cryptography is to enable two persons to communicate over an insecure channel (a public channel such as the internet) in such a way that any other person is unable to recover their message (called the plaintext ) from what is sent in its place over the channel (the ciphertext ). The transformation of the plaintext into the ciphertext is called encryption , or enciphering. Encryption-decryption is the most ancient cryptographic activity (ciphers already existed four centuries b.c.), but its nature has deeply changed with the invention of computers, because the cryptanalysis (the activity of the third person, the eavesdropper, who aims at recovering the message) can use their power. The encryption algorithm takes as input the plaintext and an encryption key K E , and it outputs the ciphertext. If the encryption key is secret, then we speak of conventional cryptography , of private key cryptography , or of symmetric cryptography . In practice, the principle of conventional cryptography relies on the sharing of a private key between the sender of a message (often called Alice in cryptography) and its receiver (often called Bob). If, on the contrary, the encryption key is public, then we speak of public key cryptography . Public key cryptography appeared in the literature in the late 1970s.

Advances in quantum cryptography

Abstract: Quantum cryptography is arguably the fastest growing area in quantum information science. Novel theoretical protocols are designed on a regular basis, security proofs are constantly improving, and experiments are gradually moving from proof-of-principle lab demonstrations to in-field implementations and technological prototypes. In this paper, we provide both a general introduction and a state-of-the-art description of the recent advances in the field, both theoretical and experimental. We start by reviewing protocols of quantum key distribution based on discrete variable systems. Next we consider aspects of device independence, satellite challenges, and protocols based on continuous-variable systems. We will then discuss the ultimate limits of point-to-point private communications and how quantum repeaters and networks may overcome these restrictions. Finally, we will discuss some aspects of quantum cryptography beyond standard quantum key distribution, including quantum random number generators and quantum digital signatures.