Techniques for remote authentication using reconfigurable boson samplers are provided. In one aspect, a method for remote authentication includes the steps of: providing an input photon configuration for an optical transmission network; receiving a response including measured output quantum photon coincidence frequencies from the optical transmission network based on the input photon configuration; comparing the measured output quantum photon coincidence frequencies to output quantum photon coincidence probabilities calculated for the optical transmission network; and verifying the response if the measured output quantum photon coincidence frequencies matches the output quantum photon coincidence probabilities calculated for the optical transmission network with less than a predetermined level of error, otherwise un-verifying the response. A verification system including an optical transmission network is also provided.