Liaison statement
LS/o on work progress on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network in SG13 (as of March 2021) [from ITU-T SG13]

ITU-T SG13 is pleased to inform you about our progress on Quantum Key
Distribution (QKD) topics. We informed you that SG13 has published 5
Recommendations 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”.

In the SG13 meeting (Virtual, 1-12 March 2021), Q16/13 has made progress of the
following work items.

1. The item consented after the December 2020 SG13 meeting
The corrigendum to ITU-T Y.3802 was consented.

Corrigendum 1, Recommendation ITU-T Y.3802 “Quantum key distribution networks -
Functional architecture” in TD388/PLEN

Corrigendum 1 to Recommendation ITU-T Y.3802 (2020) removes ‘IT-secure’ from
the definition of key management agent (KMA) link.

2. Revised on-going work items

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN_SDNC “Quantum key distribution networks -
Software defined networking control” in TD550/WP3

Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN_SDNC specifies the requirements, functional
architecture, reference points, hierarchical SDN controller, overall
operational procedures of SDN control, and controllable elements for SDN in
QKDN and security considerations.

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN_frint “Framework for integration of QKDN and
secure network infrastructures” in TD552/WP3

For quantum key distribution networks (QKDN), Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN_frint
specifies overview of secure storage networks (SSNs). It also specifies
functional requirements, functional architecture model, reference points and
phase-in scenarios for SSNs.

Draft Supplement ITU-T Y.supp.QKDN-mla “Quantum key distribution networks -
Applications of Machine Learning” in TD556/WP3

This Supplement studies the applications of machine learning (ML) in quantum
key distribution network (QKDN).

In particular, the scope of this draft Supplement includes:
-       Overview of ML applications in QKDN;
-       Applications of ML in QKDN at the quantum layer;
-       Applications of ML in QKDN at the key management layer;
-       Applications of ML in QKDN at the control and management layers.

Y.QKDN-SDNC is a candidate for consent and Y.supp.QKDN-mla is a candidate for
agreement at the July 2021 SG13 RGM.

3. Conclusion

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

Attachments:
1) Corrigendum 1 to Recommendation ITU-T Y.3802 (TD388/PLEN), Quantum key
distribution networks - Functional architecture; 2) The updated draft
Recommendation ITU-T Y.QKDN_SDNC (TD550/WP3), Quantum key distribution networks
- Software defined networking control; 3) The updated draft Recommendation
ITU-T Y.QKDN_frint (TD552/WP3), Framework for integration of QKDN and secure
network infrastructures. 4) The updated draft Supplement ITU-T Y.supp.QKDN-mla
(TD556/WP3), Quantum key distribution networks - Applications of machine
learning.