Title: LS on work progress on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network in SG13 
(as of March 2024)
Submission Date: 2024-04-16
URL of the IETF Web page: https://datatracker.ietf.org/liaison/1912/

From: Tatiana Kurakova <tsbs...@itu.int>
To: Henk Birkholz <henk.birkholz@ietf.contact>,Joe Clarke <jcla...@cisco.com>
Cc: Mahesh Jethanandani <mjethanand...@gmail.com>,Operations and Management 
Area Working Group Discussion List <opsawg@ietf.org>,Henk Birkholz 
<henk.birkholz@ietf.contact>,Scott Mansfield <scott.mansfi...@ericsson.com>,Joe 
Clarke <jcla...@cisco.com>,Warren Kumari <war...@kumari.net>
Response Contacts: gm...@kaist.ac.kr, cho...@etri.re.kr, kaz.tanik...@nict.go.jp
Technical Contacts: 
Purpose: For information

Body: ITU-T SG13 is pleased to inform you of our progress on Quantum Key 
Distribution (QKD) topics.
SG13 has published 20 Recommendations and 5 Supplements on QKDN as follows:

- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3800 “Overview on networks supporting quantum key 
distribution”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3801 “Functional requirements for quantum key 
distribution networks”;   
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3802 “Quantum key distribution networks – Functional 
architecture”; 
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3803 “Quantum key distribution networks – Key 
management”;  
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3804 “Quantum key distribution networks - Control and 
management”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3805 “Quantum Key Distribution Networks - Software 
Defined Networking Control”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3806 “Quantum key distribution networks - Requirements 
for quality of service assurance”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3807 “Quantum Key Distribution networks - QoS 
parameters”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3808 “Framework for integration of quantum key 
distribution network and secure storage network”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3809 “A role-based model in quantum key distribution 
networks deployment”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3810 “Quantum key distribution network interworking - 
Framework”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3811 “Quantum key distribution networks - Functional 
architecture for quality of service assurance”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3812 “Quantum key distribution networks - Requirements 
for machine learning based quality of service assurance”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3813 “Quantum key distribution networks interworking – 
functional requirements”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3814 “Quantum key distribution networks - functional 
requirements and architecture for machine learning enablement”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3815 “Quantum key distribution networks - overview of 
resilience”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3816 “Quantum key distribution networks - Functional 
architecture enhancement of machine learning based quality of service 
assurance”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3817 “Quantum key distribution networks interworking - 
Requirements of quality of service assurance”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3818 “Quantum key distribution networks interworking – 
architecture”;
- Recommendation ITU-T Y.3819 “Quantum key distribution networks - requirements 
and architectural model for autonomic management and control enablement”;
- Supplement ITU-T Y.Sup70 to Y.3800-series “Quantum Key Distribution Networks 
- Applications of Machine Learning”;
- Supplement ITU-T Y.Sup74 to Y.3800-series “Standardization roadmap on Quantum 
Key Distribution Networks”;
- Supplement ITU-T Y.Sup75 to Y.3800-series “Quantum key distribution networks 
- Quantum-Enabled Future Networks”;
- Supplement ITU-T Y.Sup79 to Y.3800-series “Quantum key distribution networks 
– Role in end-to-end cryptographic services with non-quantum cryptography”;
- Supplement ITU-T Y.Sup80 to Y.3800-series “Use cases of quantum key 
distribution networks”.

1. The items consented at the March 2024 ITU-T Study Group 13 meeting 
The draft Recommendations ITU-T Y.QKDNi_SDNC and Y.QKDN-rsrq were consented:

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.3820 (ex Y.QKDNi_SDNC) “Quantum Key Distribution 
Network Interworking - Software Defined Networking Control” in TD230/PLEN

This draft Recommendation specifies the Software Defined Network control for 
the interworking including the overview of the role of SDN control for the 
interworking between QKDN providers, the functional entities of SDN control for 
the interworking, the interfaces of SDN control for the interworking, the 
functional requirements of SDN control for the interworking, and the security 
considerations.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.3821 (ex Y.QKDN-rsrq) “Requirements for quantum 
key distribution network resilience” in TD231/PLEN)

For quantum key distribution networks (QKDN), Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN-rsrq 
specifies the general requirements for resilience, and separately specifies the 
supporting requirements for protection and recovery.

2. Revised on-going work items after November 2023 SG13 meeting

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDNf_fr “Framework of Quantum Key Distribution 
Network Federation” in TD503/WP3

This draft Recommendation specifies the framework of Quantum Key Distribution 
Network Federation (QKDNf) including the overview of QKDNf, reference 
architecture for enabling QKDNf, functional entities of QKDNf, reference points 
for the QKDNf, functional requirements of the QKDNf, overall operational 
procedures of QKDNf and security considerations.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN-nq-rf “Requirements and framework for 
end-to-end QKDN and non-quantum cryptographies services” in TD505/WP3

In order to support QKD service to IMT-2020 users including mobile objects 
(i.e., autonomous car, mobile phone, etc.), it is challenging to establish and 
maintain a quantum channel stably with them and supporting KSA-keys.  
TR-QKDN-nq addresses these issues and describes several use cases to deliver 
KSA-keys generated from QKD networks to the IMT-2020 user applications by means 
of modern cryptography (e.g., PKI technology) with PQC algorithms.  It also 
identifies various issues to be addressed for standardization.  One of them is 
an implication on the end-to-end QoS assurance.  

This draft Recommendation specifies use cases, architectural models, high-level 
and functional requirements for end-to-end QKDN and non-quantum cryptographies 
(NQC) services.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKD-TLS “Quantum Key Distribution integration with 
Transport Layer Security 1.3” in TD506/WP3

This Draft Recommendation specifies use cases, high-level requirements and 
reference models for quantum key distribution (QKD) integration with transport 
layer security 1.3 (TLS 1.3).

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN-nq-qos-rf "Requirements and framework for 
quality of service assurance of end-to-end QKDN and non-quantum cryptography 
services" in TD738/WP1

In order to support QKD service to IMT-2020 users including mobile objects 
(i.e., autonomous car, mobile phone, etc.), it is challenging to establish and 
maintain a quantum channel stably with them and supporting KSA-keys. TR-QKDN-nq 
addresses these issues and describes several use cases to deliver KSA-keys 
generated from QKD networks to the IMT-2020 user applications by means of 
modern cryptography (e.g., PKI technology) with PQC algorithms. It also 
identifies various issues to be addressed for standardization. One of them is 
an implication on the end-to-end QoS assurance. This draft Recommendation 
specifies use cases, architectural models, requirements and a framework 
architecture for quality of service assurance of end-to-end QKDN and 
non-quantum cryptography (NQC) services.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN-qos-auto-rq "Quantum key distribution 
networks - Requirements for autonomic quality of service assurance" in TD739/WP1

The QKDN is expected to be able to provide optimized support for a variety of 
different QKD services. The key performance indicators (KPIs) include optimal 
latency, accuracy, throughput, and availability for key distribution. However, 
one of the challenges of the QKDN is to assure the network performance and 
different QoS/QoE requirements of different application scenarios in an 
autonomic way. The autonomic ability for QoS in QKDN will support the seamless 
intelligent decision-making feedback loop of precise monitoring of status of 
managed QKDN resources, intelligent decision-making and necessary 
policy-generation based on the monitored QKDN QoS information, and open 
programmable enforcement of generated policies. To enable the autonomic QoS 
assurance, the requirements of autonomic QoS planning, autonomic QoS 
monitoring, autonomic QoS optimization, autonomic QoS provisioning, autonomic 
QoS protection and recovery are needed. This draft recommendation specifies the 
overview, the high-level requirements and functional requirements of autonomic 
QoS assurance for QKDN. The security considerations are also illustrated.

Draft Supplement ITU-T Y.supp.QKDN_sync “Analysis of Time Synchronization in 
Quantum Key Distribution Networks” in TD504/WP3

This Supplement to ITU-T Y.3800-series Recommendations provides instructive 
information on time synchronization solution, function, and implementation in 
quantum key distribution networks (QKDN), including time synchronization 
function in quantum, KM, management, and control layers of QKDN.

Draft Supplement ITU-T Y.supp.TC-QN “Technical considerations towards Quantum 
Network” in TD507/WP3

Quantum network is expected to provide new applications based on fundamental 
quantum mechanics such as entanglement, superposition and non-cloning, and 
those are not possible with non-quantum networks (e.g. conventional digital 
networks).

This Supplement aims to identify technical considerations for quantum network. 

3. New work items agreed at the March 2024 SG13 meeting  

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN-safr "Quantum key distribution networks - 
Framework for service awareness" in TD512/WP3

Quantum key distribution network (QKDN) can be regarded as a kind of 
cryptographic infrastructure since it supports more and more cryptographic 
applications, such as video conference, VoLTE, email, etc. Diversified 
cryptographic applications put forward differentiated service requirements for 
QKDN, including low deterministic latency, low jitter, high deterministic 
availability, and guaranteed key supplies and so on.

With the separation mechanism of QKDN and cryptographic services, the 
underlying QKDN network cannot perceive service characteristic information, it 
is difficult to identify the SLA guarantee requirements of services. Therefore, 
it is necessary to consider service awareness function for QKDN with the 
guidance of service awareness, service scheduling and service differentiation 
which can aware users, service requirements, QKDN resource and service status 
and so on in real time, so as to provide differentiated services. Meanwhile, 
it’s valuable to carry out necessary standardization works.

This Recommendation specifies scenarios, requirements and functional model of 
service awareness for QKDN.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN-orfr “Framework for quantum key distribution 
network orchestration” in TD516/WP3

This Recommendation will specify an orchestration framework to enhance resource 
efficiency of quantum key distribution network (QKDN). It describes QKDN 
orchestration with an overview, requirements, reference models, and overall 
operational procedures..

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN-rsff “Quantum key distribution networks – 
functional framework of resilience” in TD517/WP3 

This Recommendation will specify a functional framework of QKDN resilience to 
enable seamless key supply even in the case of failures. It describes the 
functional configurations and operational procedures for protection and 
recovery of key supply.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKD-IPSec-fr “Framework for integration of quantum 
key distribution and IPSec” in TD513/WP3

With the diversity of network services and the demand for security, it is 
necessary to use QKD to ensure the security of user networks. Therefore, it is 
promising to implement standardization work for the integration of QKDN and 
user networks. Combining QKD with IPsec can achieve better end-to-end 
encryption. QKD provides secure key distribution based on quantum mechanics to 
resist future quantum computing attacks. IPsec provides traditional encryption 
and authentication mechanisms. By combining QKDN and IPsec, not only does it 
achieve strong defence against quantum computing attacks, but it also provides 
comprehensive protection from classical encryption and identity verification.

This Recommendation will carry out standardization study and specify framework 
for integration of QKD and IPSec, including the overview of QKD and IPSec 
integration, application modes of QKD and IPSec integration, reference model of 
QKD and IPSec integration, requirements of QKD and IPSec integration and 
security considerations.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN_qos_auto_fa: “Quantum key distribution 
networks – Functional architecture for autonomic quality of service assurance” 
in TD742/WP1

The QKDN is expected to be able to provide optimized support for a variety of 
different QKD services. The key performance indicators (KPIs) include optimal 
latency, accuracy, throughput, and availability for key distribution. However, 
one of the challenges of the QKDN is to assure the network performance and 
different QoS/QoE requirements of different application scenarios in an 
autonomic way. The autonomic ability for QoS in QKDN will support the seamless 
intelligent decision-making feedback loop of precise monitoring of status of 
managed QKDN resources, intelligent decision-making and necessary 
policy-generation based on the monitored QKDN QoS information, and open 
programmable enforcement of generated policies. 

This draft recommendation specifies the overview, functional architecture, 
reference points and basic operational procedures of autonomic QoS assurance 
for QKDN.

Draft Technical Report ITU-T TR.SQKDN “Standardization consideration of 
Satellite-based QKDN” in TD515/WP3

This document reviews progress in satellite-based QKDN and related documents of 
satellite-based QKDN from standards development organizations. The introduction 
of use cases and general technical information of satellite-based QKDN are 
discussed. In addition, gap analysis and suggestions on the standardization of 
satellite-based QKDN are given in this technical report for reference purposes.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.3804 Revision “Quantum key distribution networks – 
Control and management” in TD510/WP3

To realize secure, stable, efficient, and robust operations of and services by 
a quantum key distribution (QKD) network as well as to manage a QKD network 
(QKDN) as a whole and support user network management, Recommendation ITU-T 
Y.3804 specifies functions and procedures for QKDN control and management based 
on the requirements specified in Recommendation ITU T Y.3801.
This revision of the Recommendation adds the description of reference point Mx 
and the management procedures in Subscription-Notification information exchange.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.3808 Revision “Integration of quantum key 
distribution network and secure storage network” in TD514/WP3

Recommendation ITU-T Y.3808 provides an overview of secure storage networks 
(SSNs) for quantum key distribution networks (QKDNs). It specifies the 
functional requirements, functional architecture model, reference points and 
operational procedures for SSNs.

This revision of the Recommendation will merge the detailed functional 
requirements and architecture from the two ongoing work items, i.e., 
Y.QKDN_SSNreq and Y.QKDN_SSNarch, which are terminated in this meeting.     

4. Conclusion
SG13 will study the network aspects of QKD. Q16/13 and Q6/13 look forward to 
close cooperation with ITU-T SG2, SG11, SG15, SG17, ETSI ISG-QKD, ISO/IEC 
JTC1/SC27, WG14, AG4, IETF/IRTF, and relevant groups for future standardization 
on QKD networks. 

Attachments:
1) The consented Y.3820 (ex Y.QKDNi_SDNC) “Quantum Key Distribution Network 
Interworking - Software Defined Networking Control” (TD230/PLEN);
2) The consented Y.3821 (ex Y.QKDN-rsrq) “Requirements for quantum key 
distribution network resilience” (TD231/PLEN);
3) The updated Y.QKDNf_fr “Framework of Quantum Key Distribution Network 
Federation” (TD503/WP3);
4) The updated Y.QKDN-nq-rf “Requirements and framework for end-to-end QKDN and 
non-quantum cryptographies services” (TD505/WP3);
5) The updated Y.QKD-TLS “Quantum Key Distribution integration with Transport 
Layer Security 1.3” (TD506/WP3);
6) The updated Y.QKDN-nq-qos-rf "Requirements and framework for quality of 
service assurance of end-to-end QKDN and non-quantum cryptography services" 
(TD738/WP1);
7) The updated Y.QKDN-qos-auto-rq "Quantum key distribution networks - 
Requirements for autonomic quality of service assurance" (TD739/WP1);
8) The updated Y.supp.QKDN_sync “Analysis of Time Synchronization in Quantum 
Key Distribution Networks” (TD504/WP3);
9) The updated Y.supp.TC-QN “Technical considerations towards Quantum Network” 
(TD507/WP3)
Attachments:

    SG13-LS173_att9
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-1.pdf

    SG13-LS173_att8
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-2.pdf

    SG13-LS173_att7
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-3.pdf

    SG13-LS173_att6
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-4.pdf

    SG13-LS173_att5
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-5.pdf

    SG13-LS173_att4
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-6.pdf

    SG13-LS173_att3
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-7.pdf

    SG13-LS173_att1
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-8.pdf

    SG13-LS173_att1
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-9.pdf

    SG13-LS173
    
https://www.ietf.org/lib/dt/documents/LIAISON/liaison-2024-04-16-itu-t-sg-13-opsawg-ls-on-work-progress-on-quantum-key-distribution-qkd-network-in-sg13-as-of-march-2024-attachment-10.docx


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