Secure memory tamper detection in a quantum key computer

A method of operating a tamper detecting quantum communication system, comprising:

• exchanging quantum keys among trusted nodes of the quantum communication system, each quantum key specific to neighboring pairs of trusted nodes;
• passing a key from a first trusted node endpoint to a second trusted node endpoint through a series of hops of trusted nodes, starting with encryption of data comprising the key at the first trusted node endpoint by a first quantum key, with decryption using a preceding quantum key and re-encryption using a successive quantum key at each of the trusted nodes in the middle, and ending with decryption using a second quantum key at the second trusted node endpoint, so that the first trusted node endpoint and the second trusted node endpoint each have the key;
• encrypting data with the key at the first or the second trusted node endpoint;
• sending the encrypted data over a network;
• decrypting with the key at the second or the first trusted node endpoint, to produce the data;
• and
• directing, by a tamper detection module, a secure memory to delete critical system parameters in response to detecting physical tampering in one of the trusted nodes.

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions thereupon which, when executed by processors of trusted nodes of a quantum communication system, cause the processors to perform a method comprising:

• exchanging quantum keys among trusted nodes of the quantum communication system, each quantum key specific to neighboring pairs of trusted nodes;
• passing a key from a first trusted node endpoint to a second trusted node endpoint through a series of hops of trusted nodes, starting with encryption of data comprising the key at the first trusted node endpoint by a first quantum key, with decryption using a preceding quantum key and re-encryption using a successive quantum key at each of the trusted nodes in the middle, and ending with decryption using a second quantum key at the second trusted node endpoint, so that the first trusted node endpoint and the second trusted node endpoint each have the key;
• encrypting data with the key at the first or the second trusted node endpoint;
• sending the encrypted data over a network;
• decrypting with the key at the second or the first trusted node endpoint, to produce the data;
• and
• directing, by a tamper detection module, a secure memory to delete critical system parameters responsive to detecting physical tampering in one of the trusted nodes.