The standardization of QKDN is mainly done by ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union, Telecommunication Standardization Sector).
Standardization activity
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- Dissemination activities towards society
- Standardization activity
Purpose of standardization activities
In general, in order for users to use technologies obtained through R & D with confidence, a system for certifying technologies is required. To do so, however, the technical specifications that serve as the criteria for certification must first be established. Activities to set technical specifications are called standardization activities related to the relevant technology.
In addition to developing documents for standardization of quantum cryptography, our center is also actively involved in the development of quantum cryptography communication networks conforming to the standard specifications and the establishment of evaluation, certification, and certification systems in collaboration with relevant parties.
Details and progress of activities
Activities for standardization
Quantum ICT Collaboration Center is actively participating in international standardization activities related to quantum cryptography.
Our center is committed to the development of international standards documents for Quantum Key Distribution Networks (QKDN) and Quantum Key Distribution Devices (QKD Devices) by actively working in all five major national and international standards bodies.
Development of international standard documents
Development of a Quantum Key Distribution Network (QKDN) standard document
Approval of the ITU-T Recommendation for the First International Standardization "Y. 3800"
At our country, NICT, NEC, and Toshiba have played a leading role in the development of the world's highest performance QKD devices, as well as the development of network technologies on the Tokyo QKD Network demonstration test bed, long-term operation tests and the development of various security applications.
NICT, NEC, and Toshiba drew up a draft recommendation on the basic configuration, functions, and service procedures of the QKD network, and started sending letters to ITU-T SG 13 in September 2018.
Japan's proposal was adopted as the base text of the ITU-T Recommendation Y 3800, the first QKD-related recommendation for international standardization, and Japan's QKD network technology formed the framework of the ITU-T's first international standard for QKD.
Future activities
To date, a series of basic recommendations have been completed, and the completion of these recommendations is expected to accelerate the study of related standardization, make it easier for companies to invest in QKD-related product development and service creation, and make it easier for users to consider adoption.
NICT will continue to strive for international standardization related to QKDN at ITU-T, to accelerate the practical application and spread of highly confidential cryptographic communication services using QKD, and to contribute to the realization of a safe and secure society.
Development of standard documents for Quantum Key Distribution Device (QKD Device)
The development of standard documents for QKD devices is mainly done by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and ISO/IEC/JTC1 (International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission, Joint Technical Committee1).
Activities at ETSI
NICT participates in the development of a document called the Protection Profile (Protection Profile, PP) for QKD devices at ETSI.
In general, a PP document is a document that specifies the security technical specifications that IT products must meet. IT products are evaluated and certified in accordance with PP documents, and are considered to have information security functions (confidentiality, integrity, and availability).
Quantum ICT Collaboration Center has been actively involved in the revision of PP documents in collaboration with domestic vendors and university researchers since the development of PP documents began at ETSI in 2019.
Activities in ISO/IEC/JTC1
We have participated in the development of documents called ISO/IEC 23837 in ISO/IEC/JTC 1 since the development started in 2019.
ISO/IEC 23837 specifies the security requirements to be satisfied by quantum key distribution (QKD) equipment and the test and evaluation methods of the equipment. It has been developed as an evaluation and certification rule different from the PP document developed at ETSI.
Similar to the PP development at ETSI, Quantum ICT Collaboration Center has contributed to the revision of ISO/IEC 23837 in collaboration with domestic vendors and university researchers, and more than 160 revised comments were adopted in FY 2021 alone.
