Performance comparison of quantum-safe multivariate polynomial public key encapsulation algorithm

Abstract

Abstract A novel quantum-safe key encapsulation algorithm, called Multivariate Polynomial Public Key (MPPK), was recently proposed by Kuang, Perepechaenko, and Barbeau. Security of the MPPK key encapsulation mechanism does not rely on the prime factorization or discrete logarithm problems. It builds upon the NP-completeness of the modular Diophantine equation problem, for which there are no known efficient classical or quantum algorithms. Hence, it is resistant to known quantum computing attacks. The private key of MPPK comprises a pair of multivariate polynomials. In a companion paper, we analyzed the performance of MPPK when these polynomials are quadratic. The analysis highlighted the MPPK high decapsulation time. We found that, while maintaining the security strength, the polynomials can be linear. Considerable performance gains are obtained for the decapsulation process. In this article, we benchmark the linear case and compare the results with the previous quadratic case.

Keywords

• Post-quantum cryptography
• Public-key cryptography
• PQC
• Key encapsulation mechanism
• KEM
• Multivariate polynomials