TY  - JOUR
T1  - Post-Quantum Security Strength Evaluation through Implementation
of Quantum Circuit for SIMECK
AU  - Ju, Song Gyeong 
AU  - Bae, Jang Kyung 
AU  - Joo, Sim Min 
AU  - Jeong, Seo Hwa 
JO  - KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
PY  - 2023
DA  - 2023/1/30
DO  - https://doi.org/10.3745/KTCCS.2023.12.6.181
KW  - SIMECK Quantum Circuit
KW  - Grover Algorithm
KW  - Quantum Computing
KW  - Quantum Security Strength
AB  - Block cipher is not expected to be safe for quantum computer, as Grover's algorithm reduces the security strength by accelerating
brute-force attacks on symmetric key ciphers. So it is necessary to check the post-quantum security strength by implementing quantum
circuit for the target cipher. In this paper, we propose the optimal quantum circuit implementation result designed as a technique to
minimize the use of quantum resources (qubits, quantum gates) for SIMECK lightweight cryptography, and explain the operation of each
quantum circuit. The implemented SIMECK quantum circuit is used to check the estimation result of quantum resources and calculate
the Grover attack cost. Finally, the post-quantum strength of SIMECK lightweight cryptography is evaluated. As a result of post-quantum
security strength evaluation, all SIMECK family cipher failed to reach NIST security strength. Therefore, it is expected that the safety
of SIMECK cipher is unclear when large-scale quantum computers appear. About this, it is judged that it would be appropriate to increase
the block size, the number of rounds, and the key length to increase the security strength.