This thesis extends the applicability of quantum cryptography. First, we prove that quantum cryptography at least equals classical cryptography in an important area, namely authentication. The quantum key distribution protocols presented here show that, contrary to previous belief, authentication can be done with quantum methods only. In addition, we have designed quantum security systems in unconventional settings. The security of sensor networks poses specific challenges, as the sensor nodes in particular can be physically picked up by the intruder. Our scheme protects both the integrity of the communication messages and it also protects the identity of the nodes, such that a reading intrusion of a node is detectable. The problem of access control in a hierarchy refers to a large number of users, organized in a hierarchy, having selective access rights to a database. Our quantum solution introduces quantum keys to the effect that the cryptographic scheme is dynamically adaptable to changes in the user structure, and it exhibits increased security levels. To the best of our knowledge, this thesis is the first to introduce quantum keys, that is secret keys defined by an array of qubits. We show that quantum keys make it possible for two parties to communicate with one-time pads without having to meet in advance. Also, opposite to previous cryptographic ``common sense", the security level of a quantum cryptosystem with quantum keys and quantum messages increases while being used, meaning the security increases over time. / Thesis (Ph.D, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2010-03-12 11:38:07.086

The Synchronize Choice Petri net, a subclass of Petri nets that is constructed based on special structural objects, can improve analytical power to make solving the behavioral problems of Petri nets practically possible. The fact that proving liveness and verifying reachability of a Synchronize Choice Petri net are feasible may lead to several applications. This thesis contributes to one of the applications: building a dynamic key exchange mechanism embedded in Virtual Private Network products by applying Synchronize Choice Petri nets. 　　Based on modern symmetric-key algorithms, such as DES, the dynamic key exchange mechanism enables two communicating sides to use the changing keys to encrypt or decrypt messages correctly without requiring any key transmission during the communication session after the initiation. A proper use of the mechanism is to be integrated with Virtual Private Network products to make the information transmitting between two peers more confidential.