Terakey - An Encryption Method Whose Security Can Be Analyzed from First Principles

Arnold G.  Reinhold

Paper 2020/830

Terakey - An Encryption Method Whose Security Can Be Analyzed from First Principles

Arnold G. Reinhold

Abstract

Terakey is an encryption system whose confidentiality can be demonstrated from first principles, without making assumptions about the computational difficulty of certain mathematical problems. It employs a key that is much larger than the anticipated volume of message traffic. It is based on the one-time pad, but addresses the risk of key reuse stochastically. Conventional cryptographic techniques can be used to ameliorate infrequent byte collisions. The large size of the key reduces the risk of key exfiltration and facilitates physical security measures to maintain a secure chain of control for the key. Terakey also serves as a potential alternative for comparison with quantum key distribution technology, arguably providing equivalent security with fewer complications.

Metadata

Available format(s): PDF
Category: Secret-key cryptography
Publication info: Preprint. MINOR revision.
Keywords: secret-key cryptography stream ciphers quantum cryptography
Contact author(s): areinhold @ alum mit edu
History: 2020-07-07: received
Short URL: https://ia.cr/2020/830
License: CC BY

BibTeX

@misc{cryptoeprint:2020/830,
      author = {Arnold G.  Reinhold},
      title = {Terakey - An Encryption Method Whose Security Can Be Analyzed from First Principles},
      howpublished = {Cryptology {ePrint} Archive, Paper 2020/830},
      year = {2020},
      url = {https://eprint.iacr.org/2020/830}
}