Power Side-Channel Vulnerabilities in Distributed Quantum Systems with Classical Communication

Quanjiang Long; Kyle Ponte; Ying Wang; Juntao Chen

doi:10.1109/QCE65121.2025.10294

Power Side-Channel Vulnerabilities in Distributed Quantum Systems with Classical Communication

Quanjiang Long
, Kyle Ponte
, Ying Wang
, Juntao Chen

Department of Systems Engineering

Fordham University
Stevens Institute of Technology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

As quantum circuits grow in complexity, distributed quantum computing (DQC) system with classical communication provides a practical path for scalable execution. However, midcircuit measurements and conditional feedback from this emerging paradigm introduce side-channel vulnerabilities. We analyze how power traces reveal sensitive information in partitioned circuits. Our detection algorithm identifies mid-circuit measurements with up to 100% accuracy and reconstructs decomposed CNOT gates. Additionally, we demonstrate up to 80% accuracy in identifying user circuits from adjusted energy profiles. These findings highlight the risk of power-based leakage in LOCC-enabled DQC systems and call for more secure execution strategies.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Keynotes, Workshops, Posters, Panels, and Tutorials Program
Editors	Candace Culhane, Greg Byrd, Hausi Muller, Andrea Delgado, Stephan Eidenbenz
Pages	59-63
Number of pages	5
ISBN (Electronic)	9798331557362
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/QCE65121.2025.10294
State	Published - 2025
Event	6th IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering, QCE 2025 - Albuquerque, United States Duration: 31 Aug 2025 → 5 Sep 2025

Publication series

Name	Proceedings - IEEE Quantum Week 2025, QCE 2025
Volume	2

Conference

Conference	6th IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering, QCE 2025
Country/Territory	United States
City	Albuquerque
Period	31/08/25 → 5/09/25

Access to Document

10.1109/QCE65121.2025.10294

Cite this

Long, Q., Ponte, K., Wang, Y., & Chen, J. (2025). Power Side-Channel Vulnerabilities in Distributed Quantum Systems with Classical Communication. In C. Culhane, G. Byrd, H. Muller, A. Delgado, & S. Eidenbenz (Eds.), Keynotes, Workshops, Posters, Panels, and Tutorials Program (pp. 59-63). (Proceedings - IEEE Quantum Week 2025, QCE 2025; Vol. 2). https://doi.org/10.1109/QCE65121.2025.10294

@inproceedings{dc6033374dc14a799a29c7bc40fdcff0,

title = "Power Side-Channel Vulnerabilities in Distributed Quantum Systems with Classical Communication",

abstract = "As quantum circuits grow in complexity, distributed quantum computing (DQC) system with classical communication provides a practical path for scalable execution. However, midcircuit measurements and conditional feedback from this emerging paradigm introduce side-channel vulnerabilities. We analyze how power traces reveal sensitive information in partitioned circuits. Our detection algorithm identifies mid-circuit measurements with up to 100\% accuracy and reconstructs decomposed CNOT gates. Additionally, we demonstrate up to 80\% accuracy in identifying user circuits from adjusted energy profiles. These findings highlight the risk of power-based leakage in LOCC-enabled DQC systems and call for more secure execution strategies.",

author = "Quanjiang Long and Kyle Ponte and Ying Wang and Juntao Chen",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 IEEE.; 6th IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering, QCE 2025 ; Conference date: 31-08-2025 Through 05-09-2025",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.1109/QCE65121.2025.10294",

language = "English",

series = "Proceedings - IEEE Quantum Week 2025, QCE 2025",

pages = "59--63",

editor = "Candace Culhane and Greg Byrd and Hausi Muller and Andrea Delgado and Stephan Eidenbenz",

booktitle = "Keynotes, Workshops, Posters, Panels, and Tutorials Program",

}

Long, Q, Ponte, K, Wang, Y & Chen, J 2025, Power Side-Channel Vulnerabilities in Distributed Quantum Systems with Classical Communication. in C Culhane, G Byrd, H Muller, A Delgado & S Eidenbenz (eds), Keynotes, Workshops, Posters, Panels, and Tutorials Program. Proceedings - IEEE Quantum Week 2025, QCE 2025, vol. 2, pp. 59-63, 6th IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering, QCE 2025, Albuquerque, United States, 31/08/25. https://doi.org/10.1109/QCE65121.2025.10294

Power Side-Channel Vulnerabilities in Distributed Quantum Systems with Classical Communication. / Long, Quanjiang; Ponte, Kyle; Wang, Ying et al.
Keynotes, Workshops, Posters, Panels, and Tutorials Program. ed. / Candace Culhane; Greg Byrd; Hausi Muller; Andrea Delgado; Stephan Eidenbenz. 2025. p. 59-63 (Proceedings - IEEE Quantum Week 2025, QCE 2025; Vol. 2).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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N2 - As quantum circuits grow in complexity, distributed quantum computing (DQC) system with classical communication provides a practical path for scalable execution. However, midcircuit measurements and conditional feedback from this emerging paradigm introduce side-channel vulnerabilities. We analyze how power traces reveal sensitive information in partitioned circuits. Our detection algorithm identifies mid-circuit measurements with up to 100% accuracy and reconstructs decomposed CNOT gates. Additionally, we demonstrate up to 80% accuracy in identifying user circuits from adjusted energy profiles. These findings highlight the risk of power-based leakage in LOCC-enabled DQC systems and call for more secure execution strategies.

AB - As quantum circuits grow in complexity, distributed quantum computing (DQC) system with classical communication provides a practical path for scalable execution. However, midcircuit measurements and conditional feedback from this emerging paradigm introduce side-channel vulnerabilities. We analyze how power traces reveal sensitive information in partitioned circuits. Our detection algorithm identifies mid-circuit measurements with up to 100% accuracy and reconstructs decomposed CNOT gates. Additionally, we demonstrate up to 80% accuracy in identifying user circuits from adjusted energy profiles. These findings highlight the risk of power-based leakage in LOCC-enabled DQC systems and call for more secure execution strategies.

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ER -

Power Side-Channel Vulnerabilities in Distributed Quantum Systems with Classical Communication

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