ML-KEM (Kyber)

Definition

ML-KEM (Module Lattice-Based Key Encapsulation Mechanism) is the NIST-standardized name for Kyber, published as FIPS 203. It enables two parties to establish a shared secret key resistant to quantum computer attacks, serving as the foundation for quantum-safe encrypted communications.

Technical Explanation

ML-KEM operates through three functions: KeyGen generates a public-private key pair, Encapsulate uses the public key to create a ciphertext and shared secret, and Decapsulate uses the private key to recover the shared secret from the ciphertext. Security derives from the hardness of the Module Learning With Errors problem.

ML-KEM-512 provides NIST Security Level 1, ML-KEM-768 provides Level 3, and ML-KEM-1024 provides Level 5. Key sizes range from 800 to 1,568 bytes, with operations completing in microseconds on standard hardware.

SynX Relevance

SynX implements ML-KEM-768 (Kyber-768) for all key encapsulation operations. Wallet-to-daemon communications, secure channel establishment, and encrypted messaging all use ML-KEM-768 to establish quantum-resistant shared secrets, protecting against harvest-now-decrypt-later attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ML-KEM the same as Kyber?: Yes, ML-KEM is the official NIST standardized name for Kyber (FIPS 203).
Which ML-KEM level does SynX use?: SynX uses ML-KEM-768, providing NIST Security Level 3 (192-bit equivalent).
Can ML-KEM be used for encryption?: ML-KEM establishes shared secrets, which are then used with symmetric ciphers like AES for actual encryption.

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