Protocols for symmetric secret key establishment: Modern approach

Introduction/purpose: The problem of efficient distribution of cryptographic keys in communication systems has existed since its first days and is especially emphasized by the emergence of mass communication systems. Defining and implementing efficient protocols for symmetric cryptographic keys establishment in such circumstances is of great importance in raising information security in cyberspace. Methods: Using the methods of Information Theory and Secure Multiparty Computation, protocols for direct establishment of cryptographic keys between communication parties have been defined. Results: The paper defines two new approaches to the problem of establishing cryptographic keys. The novelty in the protocol defined in the security model based on information theory is based on the source of common randomness, which in this case is the EEG signal of each subject participating in the communication system. Experimental results show that the amount of information leaking to the attacker is close to zero. A novelty in the second case, which provides security with keys at the level of computer security by applying Secure Multiparty Computation, is in the new application field, namely generation and distribution of symmetric cryptographic keys. It is characteristic of both approaches that within the framework of formal theories, it is possible to draw conclusions about their security characteristics in a formal way. Conclusions: The paper describes two new approaches for establishing cryptographic keys in symmetric cryptographic systems with experimental results. The significance of the proposed solutions lies in the fact that they enable the establishment of secure communication between communication parties from end to end, avoiding the influence of a trusted third party. In that way, the achieved communication level security significantly increases in relation to classical cryptographic systems.