Topology-Oblivious Random-Walk Key Relaying in Quantum Key Distribution Networks

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This paper studies topology-oblivious stochastic forwarding for key relaying in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks, asking whether useful security and efficiency can be achieved without centralized control or global routing state. It analyzes a model where fragmented key material is relayed via random-walk variants and reconstructed with privacy amplification under a restricted threat model with at most one compromised relay. Evaluation on the GÉANT topology shows meaningful differences between walk variants, including reduced exposure via a highest-score-neighbor diversification heuristic and shorter routes with a preliminary loop-erasure step.

@article{petrucena2026topology,
  title={Topology-Oblivious Random-Walk Key Relaying in Quantum Key Distribution Networks},
  author={Petru{\v{c}}e{\c{n}}a, Kri{\v{s}}j{\=a}nis and Kozlovi{\v{c}}s, Sergejs and V{\=i}ksna, Juris and Kalni{\c{n}}a, El{\=i}na and Isaks, Reinis and Celms, Edgars and L{\=a}ce, Lelde and Rencis, Edgars},
  journal={Entropy},
  volume={28},
  number={6},
  article-number={696},
  year={2026},
  doi={10.3390/e28060696}
}