Techniques

Non-Kinetic Physical Attack on quantum systems involves methods that cause physical damage or dysfunction without direct contact, typically through the use of electromagnetic pulses (EMPs), high-powered lasers, or high-powered microwaves, targeting quantum computers, networks, and sensors.

Direct Physical Attack on quantum systems involves physical actions aimed at directly damaging or destroying quantum computing, networking, or sensing devices, utilizing methods such as explosives, mechanical destruction, or disruption of critical components like optical fibers.

Threat actors may attempt to dazzle the quantum communication receiver, causing high noise on a single photon detector. Note that dazzling is the equivalent of jamming from the radio frequencies but in the optical domain.

The threat actor (Eve) measures the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter (Alice) and/or receiver (Bob) to infer information about the generated key in a Quantum Key Distribution system.

The threat actor (Eve) can infer quantum states prepared by the transmitter (Alice) by analyzing the power consumption of the integrated electrical control circuit, using machine learning to correlate power with the transmitted states.