Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Quantum communication networks promise information-theoretic security but this security collapses if intermediate relay nodes are compromised, a risk that grows sharply when compromised nodes cannot be identified. We address this twofold: first, we show that multi-path routing provides quantifiable protection against unidentified compromised nodes. Second, we provide a comprehensive statistical and graph-theoretic analysis of network and node security under compromise, covering full and partial node compromise, optimal placement of additional edges via an iterative method, and comparative hacking-probability analysis across network topologies. Together, these results identify the topology and multi-path routing strategy that most improves security for a given network. We apply this framework to quantum key distribution across multiple network topologies, demonstrating a scalable route to secure, reliable quantum communication under realistic, unidentified adversarial threats, without relying on quantum memory.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Haider, Muhammad Kumail, Khalique, Aeysha
Institution: National University of Sciences and Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7223032618