Abstract Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) play a crucial role in various applications, ranging from environmental monitoring to industrial automation that require high levels of security. With the development of quantum technologies, many security mechanisms may be hacked due to the promising capabilities of quantum computation. To address this challenge, quantum protocols have emerged as a promising solution for enhancing the security of wireless sensor communications. One of the common types of quantum protocols is quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols, which are investigated to allow two participants with fully quantum capabilities to share a random secret key, while semi-quantum key distribution (SQKD) protocols are designed to perform the same task using fewer quantum resources to make quantum communications more realizable and practical. Quantum walk (QW) plays an essential role in quantum computing, which is a universal quantum computational paradigm. In this work, we utilize the advantages of QW to design three authenticated quantum cryptographic protocols to establish secure channels for data transmission between sensor nodes: the first one is authenticated quantum key distribution (AQKD), the second one is authenticated semi-quantum key distribution (ASQKD) with one of the two participants having limited quantum capabilities, and the last one is ASQKD but both legitimate users possess limited quantum resources. The advantages of the proposed protocols are that the partners can exchange several different keys with the same exchanged qubits, and the presented protocols depend on a one-way quantum communication channel. In contrast, all previously designed SQKD protocols rely on two-way quantum communication. Security analyses prove that the presented protocols are secure against various well-known attacks and highly efficient. The utilization of the presented protocols in wireless sensor communications opens up new avenues for secure and trustworthy data transmission, enabling the deployment of resilient WSNs in critical applications. This work also paves the way for future exploration of quantum-based security protocols and their integration into WSNs for enhanced data protection.
Abstract Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) play a crucial role in various applications, ranging from environmental monitoring to industrial automation that require high levels of security. With the development of quantum technologies, many security mechanisms may be hacked due to the promising capabilities of quantum computation. To address this challenge, quantum protocols have emerged as a promising solution for enhancing the security of wireless sensor communications. One of the common types of quantum protocols is quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols, which are investigated to allow two participants with fully quantum capabilities to share a random secret key, while semi-quantum key distribution (SQKD) protocols are designed to perform the same task using fewer quantum resources to make quantum communications more realizable and practical. Quantum walk (QW) plays an essential role in quantum computing, which is a universal quantum computational paradigm. In this work, we utilize the advantages of QW to design three authenticated quantum cryptographic protocols to establish secure channels for data transmission between sensor nodes: the first one is authenticated quantum key distribution (AQKD), the second one is authenticated semi-quantum key distribution (ASQKD) with one of the two participants having limited quantum capabilities, and the last one is ASQKD but both legitimate users possess limited quantum resources. The advantages of the proposed protocols are that the partners can exchange several different keys with the same exchanged qubits, and the presented protocols depend on a one-way quantum communication channel. In contrast, all previously designed SQKD protocols rely on two-way quantum communication. Security analyses prove that the presented protocols are secure against various well-known attacks and highly efficient. The utilization of the presented protocols in wireless sensor communications opens up new avenues for secure and trustworthy data transmission, enabling the deployment of resilient WSNs in critical applications. This work also paves the way for future exploration of quantum-based security protocols and their integration into WSNs for enhanced data protection.
The requirement of efficient security protocols to protect confidential information from ever evolving cyber threat has been highlighted by the fast implementation of wireless sensor network (WSN) in numerous important domains, including healthcare monitoring, environmental surveillance and military operations. Despite their feasibility, traditional cryptographic approaches are utilized behind the computing capability of recent attackers, including the possibility of future quantum computer attacks. In order to revolutionize WSN security, this study proposes utilizing quantum cryptography and other concepts from quantum computing into the existing framework. This research leads to develop a communication protocol that is extremely safe and against the cyber-attacks. This protocol utilizes the quantum key distribution (QKD) to protect data and granting its confidential. In addition to improving security, the new architectures begin with change that makes WSN more capable of dependable and secure operations in environment where data protection is essential. A complete framework for protecting WSNs from new cyber threats in the future while keeping data transmissions and efficient process with reliability is discussed in this study. This proposed method enhances the dependencies in WSN installation across various industries, which is important for applications that need strong security measures. Evaluation results shows that the proposed method outperformed all existing methods in terms of relevant metrics.
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are quiet dynamic technology made up of discrete multi-function sensor nodes that interconnect wireless for short distances. WSNs have distinct traits as well as limitations that impede the development of efficient attack detection and prevention methods. Security in WSN is a more difficult task because of the processing limits of sensor nodes as well as the nature of wireless communications. The widespread WSNs usage has given development to several forms of threats. To guard against threats, appropriate security measures must be implemented. Cryptography, specifically encryption, plays a pivotal role in protecting data from unauthorized access. However, not all encryption methods are equally effective, as some exhibit vulnerabilities. Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) is the most efficient option because of its reduced key size. Comprehensive safety despite lower key sizes leads to area as well as power efficient crypto systems. With recent technological advancements, traditional encryption no longer appears to be a safe solution for security and privacy of data. Quantum cryptography uses quantum physics processes to provide safe data transmission among sender and recipient. However, quantum cryptography comprises a revolution over network security field. Therefore, this research focuses on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with ECC for effective authentication, key management and energy conservation. Thus, the proposed QKD-ECC method is implemented and evaluated with traditional ECC and other cryptography method for better WSN security and privacy of data transmission.
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are systems made up of sensor nodes that communicate wirelessly over short distances, with adaptability and functionality at their coreessence. These networks have traits. Face challenges in devising effective strategies for identifying and thwarting attacks due to limitations, in individual sensor node processing power and the essence of wireless communication. Securing WSN poses a challenge given the constrained processing abilities of sensor nodes and the inherent nature of communication while facing various security threats that have emerged alongside the widespread adoption of these networks. To protect against these dangers it's crucial to put in place the security measures Encryption's key, to keeping data safe from unauthorized users Nevertheless not all encryption methods are equally strong as some are vulnerable Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) is considered the best option due to its smaller key sizes offering strong security with efficiency in space and energy As technology advances conventional encryption techniques are seen as inadequate, for ensuring data privacy and security Utilizing principles from physics to ensure data transmission, between the sender and receiver is a groundbreaking advancement in network security known as quantum cryptography. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) combined with ECC is highlighted in this study, for authentication processes, key management and energy efficiency. A novel method called QKD ECC has been put into practice. Compared against ECC and other encryption methods to bolster the security of WSN and safeguard the confidentiality of data exchange.
The rapid proliferation of Internet of Things devices (IoT) across healthcare, smart homes, transportation, and industrial automation has led to an unprecedented exchange of sensitive data over wireless channels, exposing these networks to cyberattacks, eavesdropping, and unauthorized access.Conventional cryptographic techniques, which rely on computational hardness assumptions, are increasingly vulnerable to the emerging capabilities of quantum computing.This paper explores the application of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) as a means of enabling secure and dependable data communication for IoT devices.By exploiting the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, QKD allows two communicating parties to generate a shared secret key while inherently detecting any attempt at interception.The proposed approach aims to enhance data privacy, ensure secure authentication, preserve confidentiality, and safeguard IoT systems against present and future quantum enabled threats.The integration of quantum based security techniques into existing IoT infrastructure is examined, along with its implications for improving the reliability and trustworthiness of wireless IoT communication systems.This work positions Quantum Enhanced Secure Data Communication as a forward looking security solution for next generation IoT networks.
Key management and quantum cryptography (QC) are very interesting and challenging areas in wireless sensor networks (WSN). In order to make secure communications around WSN, communication between sensor nodes and base station to sensor node communication should be handled carefully. Today’s security around WSN needs efficient key management protocol and QC involved with quantum mathematical procedures and quantum physics [1]. According to the key management analysis, computational complexities of conventional and potential cryptography are very high. In order to avoid high complexity in key management, QC can be used because it is involved with quantum computation [4][5]. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is already established with laws of quantum mechanics influenced to quantum computations for some networks such as fiber optic, satellite based communication etc. Therefore, efficient approach of QC will be analyzed to manage the keys with maximum security and less complexity. Key management protocol [2][3] in wireless networks is influenced with authentication which uses symmetric or asymmetric cryptography. Authentication and entities in upper layers use public key cryptography [6]. In this paper, we propose an enhanced version of key management and QC for WSN. Thus, we modify authentication protocol between the access points and wireless sensor network with symmetric polynomial based on QC approach. In modern QC, there are possibilities for which quantum computation techniques allow to expand the bandwidth. It is another interesting area in QC because bandwidth expansion will increase the level of security in WSN
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are promoting the spread of the Internet for devices in all areas of life, which makes it is a promising technology in the future. In the coming days, as attack technologies become more improved, security will have an important role in WSN. Currently, quantum computers pose a significant risk to current encryption technologies that work in tandem with intrusion detection systems because it is difficult to implement quantum properties on sensors due to the resource limitations. In this paper, quantum computing is used to develop a future-proof, robust, lightweight and resource-conscious approach to sensor networks. Great emphasis is placed on the concepts of using the BB84 protocol with the AES algorithm in WSN security. The results of analysis indicated a high level of security between the data by depending on the generation of secure keys, and reached an accuracy rate of about (80-95) % based on using NIST statistical. The efficiency of the work increased to 0.704 after using the Quantum Bit Error Rate equation, eventually increasing the network performance. This results in the reduction of the overall amount of energy, and the time required for performing the key exchange in the encryption and decryption processes decreased.