The study proposes a unique blend of bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review con-ducted on the Scopus database to extensively review and bring out the research relating to quantum cryptography over the last two decades. In this research, a thorough analysis of the evolution of quantum cryptography in the information security domain in the last 22 years is conducted by applying Cochrane’s handbook of systematic review intervention and the visualization tool VOS viewer for the bibliometric analysis. The research study depicts the significance of quan-tum cryptographic protocols from pre-2015 and post-2015 perspectives. The study also provides a comparative analysis of the pre-2015 and post-2015 scenarios. Besides, this research is also extensively focused on the different applications that utilized protocols to enhance security during transmission. The research is discussed in light of the ongoing research potential. Finally, the future directions of quantum cryptography-based information security studies for both research and practice are explained.
The study proposes a unique blend of bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review con-ducted on the Scopus database to extensively review and bring out the research relating to quantum cryptography over the last two decades. In this research, a thorough analysis of the evolution of quantum cryptography in the information security domain in the last 22 years is conducted by applying Cochrane’s handbook of systematic review intervention and the visualization tool VOS viewer for the bibliometric analysis. The research study depicts the significance of quan-tum cryptographic protocols from pre-2015 and post-2015 perspectives. The study also provides a comparative analysis of the pre-2015 and post-2015 scenarios. Besides, this research is also extensively focused on the different applications that utilized protocols to enhance security during transmission. The research is discussed in light of the ongoing research potential. Finally, the future directions of quantum cryptography-based information security studies for both research and practice are explained.
Using a systematic literature review methodology comprising the following stages: Identification of Relevant Literature, Screening and Selection, Data Extraction and Synthesis, Qualitative Analysis, and SWOT Analysis, this paper explores the role of quantum cryptography in enhancing cybersecurity. The analysis begins with an introduction to the vulnerabilities of classical cryptography in the context of quantum computing advancements. It delves into Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocols such as BB84 and E91, Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs), and post-quantum cryptography algorithms in detail. Real-world case studies are presented to illustrate the practical applications and advancements in quantum cryptographic techniques. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges associated with implementing quantum cryptography and proposes strategies for its integration with existing cybersecurity frameworks. The discussion on future trends highlights anticipated technological advancements, potential applications in quantum internet and blockchain security, suggested research directions, and policy implications. The significance of quantum cryptography in securing sensitive data and establishing trust in critical sectors is thoroughly emphasized.
This study provides a comprehensive review of quantum cryptography and its implications for U.S. national security in the face of emerging quantum technologies. The primary objective is to investigate the potential of quantum cryptographic methods in creating unbreakable encryption and their future role in enhancing digital security. Employing a systematic literature review and content analysis, the study draws on recent peer-reviewed articles, institutional reports, and academic journals from 2013 to 2023. The methodology focuses on evaluating the evolution, current state, and challenges of quantum cryptography, along with its integration into existing security frameworks. Key findings reveal that Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) offer promising solutions against the threats posed by quantum computing to classical encryption methods. However, the practical implementation of these technologies faces significant challenges, including technological limitations and the need for global standardization. The study underscores the urgency for U.S. national security policy to prioritize the development and integration of quantum-resistant cryptographic technologies and to foster international collaboration for standardization. Finally, the study highlights the transformative potential of quantum cryptography in digital security, emphasizing the need for continued research and collaboration to overcome implementation challenges. Future research directions include the development of efficient quantum cryptographic protocols and ethical considerations surrounding the deployment of quantum technologies. This study contributes to the discourse on securing national interests in the face of advancing quantum computing capabilities. Keywords: Quantum Cryptography, Digital Security, Post-Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Key Distribution.
Quantum computers impose an immense threat to system security. As a countermeasure, new cryptographic classes have been created to prevent these attacks. Technologies such as post-quantum cryptography and quantum cryptography. Quantum cryptography uses the principle of quantum physics to produce theoretically unbreakable security. This tertiary review selected 51 secondary studies from the Scopus database and presented bibliometric analysis, a list of the main techniques used in the field, and existing open challenges and future directions in quantum cryptography research. The results showed a prevalence of QKD over other techniques among the selected papers and stated that the field still faces many problems related to implementation cost, error correction, decoherence, key rates, communication distance, and quantum hacking.
Lattice-based cryptography’s robust theoretical and Mathematical foundations and resilience to quantum attacks have made it a prominent post-quantum security aspect. Latticebased cryptography has emerged as a critical area of research in response to the growing threat of quantum computing to classical cryptographic schemes. This bibliometric evaluation uses citation sources like Scopus to examine worldwide research trends in lattice-based cryptography from 2009 to 2024. We investigate research hotspots, author partnerships, publication growth, and institutional contributions using visualization tools such as VOSviewer. According to the report, a consistent increase in publications indicates that post-quantum cryptography is becoming increasingly popular among academics and businesses. Furthermore, it explored the global collaboration patterns and the interdisciplinary nature of lattice-based cryptography research. The results underscore the field’s importance in developing secure, quantum-resistant cryptographic systems and suggest directions for future research to address challenges in efficiency, scalability, and real-world applicability.
The rapid advancement of quantum computing poses a significant threat to classical cryptographic systems that rely on the computational hardness of mathematical problems such as integer factorization and discrete logarithm problems. In this context, quantum cryptography has emerged as a promising paradigm for secure communication based on the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics rather than on computational assumptions. This paper presents a comprehensive review of quantum cryptography, with a particular focus on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), the most mature application. The study discusses the theoretical foundations of quantum security, including superposition, entanglement, and the No-cloning theorem, which collectively enable eavesdropping detection and guarantee information-theoretic security. Furthermore, the review examines major QKD protocols, such as BB84 and E91, as well as their advanced variants designed to address practical vulnerabilities and enhance performance. Recent progress in real-world implementations, including fiber-optic networks, free-space communication, and satellite-based systems such as the Micius satellite, is also analyzed. In addition, the paper highlights critical challenges related to scalability, hardware limitations, and security loopholes arising from imperfect devices. Finally, emerging research directions, including hybrid cryptographic frameworks that integrate quantum and post-quantum approaches, are discussed to provide insights into the future of secure communication. This review aims to provide a structured, up-to-date understanding of quantum cryptography, bridging the gap between theoretical developments and practical implementations, and emphasizing its crucial role in shaping next-generation cybersecurity systems.
Quantum Cryptography (QC) revolutionizes network communication – harnessing principles of quantum mechanics to enable the exchange of encrypted messages – for enabling secure data transmission in an era of quantum information processing. With a significant rise in quantum computing research and development efforts, there is an increasing interest in exploring QC (e.g., Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Secured Encryption (QSE)) against a multitude of security threats in futuristic networks for quantum information processing. The objective of this study is to review the existing research i.e., consolidating the published evidence, that streamlines and documents the predominant challenges, recurring solutions, security threats, and their counter-measures against the outlined research questions in the context of QC. To conduct this study, we followed the guidelines and method of Systematic Literature Reviews (SLRs) to answer seven research questions. These questions investigate the proposed solutions for state-of-the-art QC and its impact on future network security. Based on the seven (7) outlined research questions, this study systematically selected and reviewed one hundred and thirty four (134) research studies published from 2016 to 2023 with a focus on QC for quantum information processing. The results of this SLR establish a knowledge base for modern QC applications to guarantee network security in quantum-enabled network communications. The review reveals that though still in the phase of its inception, the research on QC is progressing rapidly, highlighting the necessity for network protocol and frameworks to cater for quantum network security. The SLR also highlights the challenges encountered while designing or implementing the QC systems, pinpointing the significance of keeping abreast of QKD networks and addressing possible ramifications for internet security in the future. The SLR provides theoretical foundations and evidence-based guidelines to tackle emerging and futuristic challenges of security in the context of QC and QKD for quantum information processing.