Authentication for Quantum Networks
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce a two‑day workshop, Authentication for Quantum Networks, which will take place at King’s College London on 1–2 June 2026 funded by the Integrated Quantum Network Hub and King’s College London. The workshop will focus on the authentication requirements that underpin secure quantum communication and the development of future quantum networks.
Although QKD is often presented as offering information‑theoretic security, all QKD systems rely on an authenticated classical channel. The details of how this authentication is achieved, what guarantees it provides, and how it is implemented in practice are not always widely discussed within the quantum communications community. The aim of this workshop is to bring together researchers from quantum communications, non-quantum cryptography, theory, experiment, and industry to help build a clearer shared understanding of these issues—especially in light of recent scrutiny from organisations such as NCSC and NSA.
The programme will include:
1) Introductory tutorials on core concepts in authentication
2) Technical talks covering current methods and open questions
3) Contributions from experimental teams developing authentication solutions for QKD
4) Industry perspectives on real‑world deployment
5) A poster session for students and researchers to present their work in any related area.
The workshop is open to all. It will be particularly useful for experts and specialists who work on QKD but have had limited exposure to authentication, as well as for researchers from non-quantum cryptography interested in quantum applications. PhD students and early‑career researchers are especially encouraged to attend, as the tutorials are designed to give a pedagogical introduction to the subject.
A limited amount of travel support for PhD students will be available to help cover travel to and from London for those who need it. This can be requested during registration. Unfortunately, funds are limited and can only support a small number of applicants.
Further details, including registration information and the full programme, will be circulated shortly. Please visit the website to get the latest updates:
https://sites.google.com/view/quantum-authentication/home
We hope many of you will be able to join us for what should be a useful and timely meeting.
Organising Committee
Rutvij Bhavsar, King’s College London
Kit Batarbee, University of Edinburgh
Roger Colbeck, King’s College London
Mina Doosti, University of Edinburgh
Ayesha Khalid, Queen’s University Belfast