MKD (Memory Key Distribution)

Piller, Ernst; Schölnast, Hubert

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3_5

Content of this chapter

Chapter 5 · MKD (Memory Key Distribution)

The MKD chapter introduces memory key distribution as a distinct physical approach: cryptographic key material is generated, stored on secure media, and physically transported to the communication partners. This shifts the central technical question from transmission over a quantum or radio channel to secure storage, controlled access, and verifiable handling of high-capacity key media.

The chapter explains why MKD is especially relevant for one-time-pad-scale encryption. Modern storage media can hold key volumes that are far beyond the key rates currently achievable by QKD or RKD links, making continuous or large-volume OTP scenarios more plausible. At the same time, the method depends on high-quality random-number generation, protected storage, and reliable deletion or consumption of key material.

A major part of the discussion concerns the organizational consequences of physical key transport. MKD requires secure media, authentication, hardware protection, separation of duties, logistics, and documented chain of custody. The chapter therefore presents MKD as technically simple in concept but security-critical in operation.

Defines Memory Key Distribution as physical key transport
Explains the importance of secure high-capacity media
Connects MKD to one-time-pad-scale key volumes
Discusses access protection and key consumption
Emphasizes logistics and chain-of-custody requirements

Suggested citation

Reference in IEEE style

E. Piller and H. Schölnast, “MKD (Memory Key Distribution),” in Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Cham, 2026, doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3_5.

Reference in ACM style

Ernst Piller and Hubert Schölnast. 2026. MKD (Memory Key Distribution). In Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography. Springer Cham, Cham, Switzerland. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3_5

BibTeX entry

@incollection{piller_schoelnast_2026_chapter_5_mkd,
  title     = {MKD (Memory Key Distribution)},
  author    = {Ernst Piller and Hubert Schölnast},
  booktitle = {Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography},
  publisher = {Springer Cham},
  series    = {SpringerBriefs in Information Security and Cryptography},
  year      = {2026},
  doi       = {10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3_5},
  url       = {https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3_5},
  language  = {en}
}

RIS entry

TY  - CHAP
TI  - MKD (Memory Key Distribution)
T2  - Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography
AU  - Piller, Ernst
AU  - Schölnast, Hubert
PY  - 2026
PB  - Springer Cham
T3  - SpringerBriefs in Information Security and Cryptography
DO  - 10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3_5
UR  - https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3_5
LA  - en
ER  -

CSL JSON entry

{
  "type": "chapter",
  "id": "piller-schoelnast-2026-chapter-5-mkd",
  "title": "MKD (Memory Key Distribution)",
  "author": [
    {
      "family": "Piller",
      "given": "Ernst"
    },
    {
      "family": "Schölnast",
      "given": "Hubert"
    }
  ],
  "issued": {
    "date-parts": [
      [
        2026,
        6,
        19
      ]
    ]
  },
  "container-title": "Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography",
  "publisher": "Springer Cham",
  "collection-title": "SpringerBriefs in Information Security and Cryptography",
  "DOI": "10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3_5",
  "URL": "https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3_5",
  "language": "en"
}