Parallel processing techniques for hash-based signature algorithms

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

• storing a public key associated with a signing device in a computer-readable medium;
• receiving, from the signing device, a signature chunk which is a component of a signature generated by a hash-based signature algorithm, and at least a first intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk;
• executing a first hash chain beginning with the signature chunk to produce at least a first computed intermediate node value;
• executing a second hash chain beginning with the at least one intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk to produce a first computed final node value;
• and
• using the first computed intermediate node value and the first computed final computed node value to validate the signature generated by the hash-based signature algorithm.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, configure the processor to perform operations, comprising:

• storing a public key associated with a signing device in a computer-readable medium;
• receiving, from the signing device, a signature chunk which is a component of a signature generated by a hash-based signature algorithm, and at least a first intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk;
• executing a first hash chain beginning with the signature chunk to produce at least a first computed intermediate node value;
• executing a second hash chain beginning with the at least one intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk to produce a first computed final node value;
• and
• using the first computed intermediate node value and the first computed final computed node value to validate the signature generated by the hash-based signature algorithm.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a computer readable memory to store a private key associated with a signing device;
• signature logic to generate a signature using a hash-based signature algorithm and the private key, the signature comprising at least a first signature chunk which is a component of the signature, and at least a first intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk;
• and
• communication logic to send the at least a first signature chunk and the at least a first intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk to a verifying device.

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

• storing a private key associated with a signing device in a computer-readable memory;
• generating a signature using a hash-based signature algorithm and the private key, the signature comprising at least a first signature chunk which is a component of the signature, and at least a first intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk;
• and
• sending the at least a first signature chunk and the at least a first intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk to a verifying device.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, configure the processor to perform operations, comprising:

• storing a private key associated with a signing device in a computer-readable memory;
• generating a signature using a hash-based signature algorithm and the private key, the signature comprising at least a first signature chunk which is a component of the signature, and at least a first intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk;
• and
• sending the at least a first signature chunk and the at least a first intermediate node value associated with the signature chunk to a verifying device.