The proliferation of mobile networks and their increasing importance to modern life, combined with the emerging threat of quantum computing, present new challenges and opportunities for cyber-security. This paper addresses the complexity of protecting these critical infrastructures against future quantum attacks while considering operational sustainability. We begin with an overview of the current landscape, identify the main vulnerabilities in mobile networks, and evaluate existing security solutions with new post-quantum cryptography (PQC) methods. We then present a quantum-secure architecture with PQC and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) tailored explicitly for sustainable mobile networks and illustrate its applicability with several use cases that emphasize the need for advanced protection measures in this new era. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of PQC algorithm families is presented, focusing on their suitability for integration in mobile environments, with particular attention to the trade-offs between energy consumption and security improvements. Finally, recommendations for strengthening mobile networks against quantum threats are provided through a detailed examination of current challenges and opportunities.
The proliferation of mobile networks and their increasing importance to modern life, combined with the emerging threat of quantum computing, present new challenges and opportunities for cyber-security. This paper addresses the complexity of protecting these critical infrastructures against future quantum attacks while considering operational sustainability. We begin with an overview of the current landscape, identify the main vulnerabilities in mobile networks, and evaluate existing security solutions with new post-quantum cryptography (PQC) methods. We then present a quantum-secure architecture with PQC and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) tailored explicitly for sustainable mobile networks and illustrate its applicability with several use cases that emphasize the need for advanced protection measures in this new era. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of PQC algorithm families is presented, focusing on their suitability for integration in mobile environments, with particular attention to the trade-offs between energy consumption and security improvements. Finally, recommendations for strengthening mobile networks against quantum threats are provided through a detailed examination of current challenges and opportunities.
In the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape, the advent of 6 G networks promises unparalleled connectivity and transformative capabilities. However, as the potential of 6G unfolds, so too do the security challenges, particularly in the face of quantum computing advancements. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) emerges as a critical safeguard against potential threats to data integrity and confidentiality in 6 G networks. This paper addresses the critical role of PQC in safeguarding 6 G networks against these quantum-based threats. It analyzes the potential vulnerabilities posed by quantum computing, reviews the existing landscape of quantum-safe cryptographic solutions, and assesses their implications for mobile security. The paper also outlines the necessary steps for transitioning to quantumsafe mobile networks, supported by insights from governmental and institutional recommendations.
The development of quantum computers poses a new security threat to network infrastructures and services, as they will be powerful enough to break the most common forms of digital encryption. Existing encryption services based on Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA), Diffie-Hellman (DH), Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and so on are vulnerable to attacks by quantum computers. Although the gap between today’s quantum computers and the threats they pose to current public-key cryptography is large, the telecommunications landscape should begin planning for the transition to the post-quantum era as early as possible. In this paper, we examine recent advances in Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms from the perspective of the networking and telecommunications industries. The efforts are categorized at three levels, namely communication, computation (consisting of design, implementation and Public Key System (PKS)), and network. Some of the existing challenges and future recommendations for securing communication networks in the post-quantum era are also listed at the end of the paper.
The rapid advancement of quantum computing poses a critical threat to classical cryptographic schemes that secure modern distributed systems. As the deployment of distributed infrastructures—including blockchains, cloud-native applications, and edge networks—continues to grow, there is an urgent need to transition towards quantum-resistant security mechanisms. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms and their applicability in distributed system architectures. We analyze the impact of quantum threats on key components of distributed systems such as communication protocols, identity management, data integrity, and consensus mechanisms. Furthermore, we evaluate current NIST-standardized PQC algorithms in terms of computational efficiency, scalability, and integration overhead within distributed environments. Challenges in key management, performance trade-offs, and implementation considerations are discussed. Finally, we propose best practices and future directions for secure, quantum-resilient distributed systems.
In an era of unprecedented technological advancement, the rise of quantum computing poses both opportunities and challenges to network security. While quantum computers promise to revolutionize data processing and problem-solving, they also render traditional cryptographic protocols vulnerable, threatening the integrity of current network security systems. Quantum cryptography, particularly quantum key distribution (QKD), emerges as a groundbreaking solution, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to ensure unparalleled data security. Unlike classical methods, QKD guarantees secure communication by detecting eavesdropping attempts, as any observation of quantum states disrupts their integrity. This paper explores the pivotal role of quantum cryptography in shaping future network security protocols amidst a landscape of increasing cyber threats. It provides a comprehensive analysis of QKD systems, their integration into existing infrastructure, and their resilience against potential quantum-based attacks. The discussion includes real-world implementations, such as satellite-based QKD networks and fiber-optic quantum communication systems, illustrating their practical viability and scalability. Furthermore, the paper addresses current challenges, including cost, technical complexity, and interoperability with classical networks, offering insights into ongoing research aimed at overcoming these hurdles. As global reliance on digital infrastructure grows, the transition to quantum-resilient security frameworks becomes imperative. Policymakers, industry leaders, and technology developers must collaborate to advance quantum cryptographic technologies and ensure their accessibility. By securing communication channels against both classical and quantum threats, quantum cryptography is positioned to redefine the foundations of network security, paving the way for a more secure and interconnected digital future.
Modern connectivity has changed significantly as a result of wireless mobile networks’ utilization of continuous communication across an international infrastructure. Data protection and cyber attacks are two issues that continue to arise as mobile computing and wireless communication networks develop. As 5G networks give way to 6G networks, terahertz communication, artificial intelligence integration, and quantum technologies are introduced to provide high-speed data transfer and communications, along with improved security. In contrast, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD) are two remote methods for addressing the need to adjust cryptographic systems in the current infrastructures to fight impending quantum threats. The fundamental ideas, real-world uses, and ways that PQC and QKD operate together to provide strong security for next-generation networks are all examined in this chapter.
Abstract Conventional cryptographic methods are losing their long-term reliability in the face of growing information security threats ranging from increasing computational power to the emergence of quantum computers. In this regard, quantum cryptography technologies, in particular, quantum key distribution (QKD), are emerging as promising tools for ensuring physically grounded data security. This work presents a comprehensive analysis of the potential for autonomous implementation of QKD in 4G/5G mobile networks, focusing on practical deployment and possible limitations. Additionally, the integration of post-quantum cryptography and QKD is explored as a complementary approach to securing user data, along with the prospects for building a secure infrastructure based on VPN technologies and QKD systems. Special attention is given to comparison of international and domestic developments in this field and evaluation of the applicability of these technologies in existing mobile networks.