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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.17878 |
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| _version_ | 1866910009235865600 |
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| author | Wang, Xu Wang, Yiquan Huang, Tin-yeh Jiang, Zhaorui Wei, Kai |
| author_facet | Wang, Xu Wang, Yiquan Huang, Tin-yeh Jiang, Zhaorui Wei, Kai |
| contents | The imminent realization of fault-tolerant quantum computing precipitates a systemic collapse of classical public-key infrastructure and necessitates an urgent transition to post-quantum cryptography. However, current standardization efforts predominantly rely on structured mathematical problems that may remain vulnerable to unforeseen algorithmic breakthroughs, highlighting a critical need for fundamentally orthogonal security paradigms. Here, we introduce \emph{Crypto-ncRNA} as a biophysically inspired cryptographic primitive that exploits the thermodynamic complexity of non-coding RNA folding as a computational work-factor amplifier. By leveraging the rugged energy landscape inherent to RNA secondary structure prediction, a problem intractable to rapid inversion, we establish a security foundation independent of conventional number-theoretic assumptions. We validate this approach by mapping the folding problem to a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization model and demonstrate theoretical resilience against quantum optimization attacks including the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm. Functioning as a symmetric key encapsulation and derivation primitive dependent on pre-shared seeds, Crypto-ncRNA achieves throughputs competitive with software-based Advanced Encryption Standard implementations. By utilizing the generated high-entropy keys within a standard stream cipher framework, it exhibits ciphertext entropy that satisfies rigorous NIST SP 800-22 statistical standards. These findings not only articulate a novel bio-computational pathway for cryptographic defense but also provide a rigorous algorithmic blueprint for future physical realization, demonstrating that the thermodynamic complexity of biological systems offers a robust and physically grounded frontier for securing digital infrastructure in the post-quantum era. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_17878 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Crypto-ncRNA: a bio-inspired post-quantum cryptographic primitive exploiting RNA folding complexity Wang, Xu Wang, Yiquan Huang, Tin-yeh Jiang, Zhaorui Wei, Kai Cryptography and Security Artificial Intelligence The imminent realization of fault-tolerant quantum computing precipitates a systemic collapse of classical public-key infrastructure and necessitates an urgent transition to post-quantum cryptography. However, current standardization efforts predominantly rely on structured mathematical problems that may remain vulnerable to unforeseen algorithmic breakthroughs, highlighting a critical need for fundamentally orthogonal security paradigms. Here, we introduce \emph{Crypto-ncRNA} as a biophysically inspired cryptographic primitive that exploits the thermodynamic complexity of non-coding RNA folding as a computational work-factor amplifier. By leveraging the rugged energy landscape inherent to RNA secondary structure prediction, a problem intractable to rapid inversion, we establish a security foundation independent of conventional number-theoretic assumptions. We validate this approach by mapping the folding problem to a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization model and demonstrate theoretical resilience against quantum optimization attacks including the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm. Functioning as a symmetric key encapsulation and derivation primitive dependent on pre-shared seeds, Crypto-ncRNA achieves throughputs competitive with software-based Advanced Encryption Standard implementations. By utilizing the generated high-entropy keys within a standard stream cipher framework, it exhibits ciphertext entropy that satisfies rigorous NIST SP 800-22 statistical standards. These findings not only articulate a novel bio-computational pathway for cryptographic defense but also provide a rigorous algorithmic blueprint for future physical realization, demonstrating that the thermodynamic complexity of biological systems offers a robust and physically grounded frontier for securing digital infrastructure in the post-quantum era. |
| title | Crypto-ncRNA: a bio-inspired post-quantum cryptographic primitive exploiting RNA folding complexity |
| topic | Cryptography and Security Artificial Intelligence |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.17878 |