Protecting Quantum Circuits Through Compiler-Resistant Obfuscation

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2512.19314v1
• Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:05:23 GMT
• Title: Protecting Quantum Circuits Through Compiler-Resistant Obfuscation
• Authors: Pradyun Parayil, Amal Raj, Vivek Balachandran,
• Abstract summary: We propose a novel quantum obfuscation method that uses randomized U3 transformations to conceal circuit structure.<n>We implement and assess our approach on QASM circuits using Qiskit AER, achieving over 93% semantic accuracy with minimal runtime overhead.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
• Abstract: Quantum circuit obfuscation is becoming increasingly important to prevent theft and reverse engineering of quantum algorithms. As quantum computing advances, the need to protect the intellectual property contained in quantum circuits continues to grow. Existing methods often provide limited defense against structural and statistical analysis or introduce considerable overhead. In this paper, we propose a novel quantum obfuscation method that uses randomized U3 transformations to conceal circuit structure while preserving functionality. We implement and assess our approach on QASM circuits using Qiskit AER, achieving over 93\% semantic accuracy with minimal runtime overhead. The method demonstrates strong resistance to reverse engineering and structural inference, making it a practical and effective approach for quantum software protection.

Related papers

• CLOAQ: Combined Logic and Angle Obfuscation for Quantum Circuits [11.08133338265048]
  We propose CLOAQ, a quantum circuit obfuscation (QCO) approach that hides the logic and the phase angles of selected gates within the obfuscated quantum circuit.<n>Our results show that CLOAQ benefits from the synergy between logic and phase protections.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-02-27T00:39:10Z)
• Optimization and Synthesis of Quantum Circuits with Global Gates [41.99844472131922]
  We use global interactions, such as the Global Molmer-Sorensen gate present in ion trap hardware, to optimize and synthesize quantum circuits.<n>The algorithm is based on the ZX-calculus and uses a specialized circuit extraction routine that groups entangling gates into Global MolmerSorensen gates.<n>We benchmark the algorithm in a variety of circuits, and show how it improves their performance under state-of-the-art hardware considerations.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-07-28T10:25:31Z)
• Encrypted-state quantum compilation scheme based on quantum circuit obfuscation for quantum cloud platforms [3.2716496782041555]
  We propose an encrypted-state quantum compilation scheme based on quantum circuit obfuscation (ECQCO)<n>It applies quantum homomorphic encryption to conceal output states and instantiates a structure obfuscation mechanism based on quantum indistinguishability obfuscation.<n>ECQCO achieves a total variation distance (TVD) of up to 0.7 and a normalized graph edit distance (GED) of 0.88, enhancing compilation-stage security.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-07-23T15:23:18Z)
• Provably Robust Training of Quantum Circuit Classifiers Against Parameter Noise [49.97673761305336]
  Noise remains a major obstacle to achieving reliable quantum algorithms.<n>We present a provably noise-resilient training theory and algorithm to enhance the robustness of parameterized quantum circuit classifiers.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-05-24T02:51:34Z)
• Quantum Opacity, Classical Clarity: A Hybrid Approach to Quantum Circuit Obfuscation [0.0]
  We propose a novel obfuscation technique that protects proprietary quantum circuits by inserting additional quantum gates prior to compilation.<n>These gates corrupt the measurement outcomes, which are later corrected through a lightweight classical post-processing step.<n>This shows that our method is a practical and effective solution for the security of quantum circuit designs in untrusted compilation flows.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-05-20T02:42:47Z)
• TetrisLock: Quantum Circuit Split Compilation with Interlocking Patterns [7.041881854531399]
  In quantum computing, quantum circuits are fundamental representations of quantum algorithms.<n>In this paper, we propose TetrisLock, a split compilation method for quantum circuit obfuscation.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-03-15T03:41:24Z)
• Evaluating the Potential of Quantum Machine Learning in Cybersecurity: A Case-Study on PCA-based Intrusion Detection Systems [42.184783937646806]
  We investigate the potential impact of quantum computing and machine learning (QML) on cybersecurity applications of traditional ML.<n>First, we explore the potential advantages of quantum computing in machine learning problems specifically related to cybersecurity.<n>Then, we describe a methodology to quantify the future impact of fault-tolerant QML algorithms on real-world problems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-02-16T15:49:25Z)
• E-LoQ: Enhanced Locking for Quantum Circuit IP Protection [7.692750040732365]
  We propose an enhanced locking technique for quantum circuits (E-LoQ)<n>Compared to previous work that used one qubit for each key bit, our approach achieves higher security levels.<n>Our results demonstrate that E-LoQ effectively conceals the function of the original quantum circuit, with an average fidelity degradation of less than 1%.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-12-22T17:29:24Z)
• Quantum Compiling with Reinforcement Learning on a Superconducting Processor [55.135709564322624]
  We develop a reinforcement learning-based quantum compiler for a superconducting processor. We demonstrate its capability of discovering novel and hardware-amenable circuits with short lengths. Our study exemplifies the codesign of the software with hardware for efficient quantum compilation.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-06-18T01:49:48Z)
• Quantum circuit debugging and sensitivity analysis via local inversions [62.997667081978825]
  We present a technique that pinpoints the sections of a quantum circuit that affect the circuit output the most. We demonstrate the practicality and efficacy of the proposed technique by applying it to example algorithmic circuits implemented on IBM quantum machines.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-04-12T19:39:31Z)
• Circuit Symmetry Verification Mitigates Quantum-Domain Impairments [69.33243249411113]
  We propose circuit-oriented symmetry verification that are capable of verifying the commutativity of quantum circuits without the knowledge of the quantum state. In particular, we propose the Fourier-temporal stabilizer (STS) technique, which generalizes the conventional quantum-domain formalism to circuit-oriented stabilizers.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-12-27T21:15:35Z)
• Fast Swapping in a Quantum Multiplier Modelled as a Queuing Network [64.1951227380212]
  We propose that quantum circuits can be modeled as queuing networks. Our method is scalable and has the potential speed and precision necessary for large scale quantum circuit compilation.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-06-26T10:55:52Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.