Transport Layer Security (TLS) is the backbone security protocol of the Internet. As this fundamental protocol is at risk from future quantum attackers, many proposals have been made to protect TLS against this threat by implementing post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The widespread interest in post-quantum TLS has given rise to a large number of solutions over the last decade. These proposals differ in many aspects, including the security properties they seek to protect, the efficiency and trustworthiness of their post-quantum building blocks, and the application scenarios they consider, to name a few. Based on an extensive literature review, we classify existing solutions according to their general approaches, analyze their individual contributions, and present the results of our extensive performance experiments. Based on these insights, we identify the most reasonable candidates for post-quantum TLS, which research problems in this area have already been solved, and which are still open. Overall, our work provides a well-founded reference point for researching post-quantum TLS and preparing TLS in practice for the quantum age.
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is the backbone security protocol of the Internet. As this fundamental protocol is at risk from future quantum attackers, many proposals have been made to protect TLS against this threat by implementing post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The widespread interest in post-quantum TLS has given rise to a large number of solutions over the last decade. These proposals differ in many aspects, including the security properties they seek to protect, the efficiency and trustworthiness of their post-quantum building blocks, and the application scenarios they consider, to name a few. Based on an extensive literature review, we classify existing solutions according to their general approaches, analyze their individual contributions, and present the results of our extensive performance experiments. Based on these insights, we identify the most reasonable candidates for post-quantum TLS, which research problems in this area have already been solved, and which are still open. Overall, our work provides a well-founded reference point for researching post-quantum TLS and preparing TLS in practice for the quantum age.
The threats are existential to the traditional cryptosystems of public keys, including RSA, Diffie-Hellman, and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), due to the rapid progress in quantum computing. Such algorithms as the Shor and Grover algorithms prove that as soon as large scale quantum computers are achieved, these classical cryptographic protocols will not provide any privacy and integrity to online communication. This has created an emergency to find post-quantum cryptography (PQC), or quantum-safe cryptography, which will resist attacks by both classical and quantum attackers. The paper is a review of the latest research and development in post-quantum cryptographic algorithms and their implementation in current security systems. We organize quantum-safe methods into significant organizations such as lattice-based, hash-based, multivariate polynomial-based and code-based encrypted communications. Each type has been evaluated critically based on computational efficiency, key sizes, speed of encryption/decryption and security proofs. The survey also examines the current standardization activities happening in the world and especially the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) PQC competition, which lists candidate algorithms that have advanced to standard adoption. Besides this, the paper addresses hybrid cryptographic designs that use both classical and post-quantum bases in ensuring a seamless migration in the transition phase. Internet security protocols like TLS, VPNs and blockchain consensus as applications of PQC are examined in detail. Lastly, we pinpoint open research issues, which include creating lightweight PQC to support resource-constrained IoT devices, balancing performance and strong security assurances, and interoperability between the new PQC algorithms and existing infrastructures. Through detailed survey we inform the future of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers on the preparation of the post-quantum era of secure digital communications.
The rise of quantum computing presents a significant threat to current cryptographic protocols, including SSL/TLS, which are fundamental to secure communication over the internet. This paper provides a comprehensive review of quantum-resistant SSL/TLS implementations to address the looming risks posed by quantum attacks. Using the PRISMA methodology, 766 articles were screened, with 27 meeting the inclusion criteria for in-depth analysis. The study evaluates the design, testing, and validation processes of quantum-resistant algorithms such as SPHINCS+, CRYSTALS-Kyber, and Dilithium, emphasising their integration into TLS 1.3. Key findings highlight advancements in algorithmic choices, protocol modifications, and security assurances while addressing challenges like computational overhead and compatibility issues. By offering a thorough assessment of current developments, this paper aims to guide future research and practical deployment of quantum-resistant cryptography to safeguard digital communications in the post-quantum era
Abstract The imminent threat posed by quantum computers to modern public key cryptography has spurred the development of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms. Over the last two decades, the field of PQC research has thrived, yielding a diverse range of algorithms resilient against quantum attacks. These PQC algorithms are undergoing selection and standardization by prominent bodies ; such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). However, the challenge remains substantial, given the monumental task of migrating numerous new devices to PQC algorithms. This complex, multi-decade transition from classical cryptography to PQC, necessitates careful survey of research articles to consider the current post quantum cryptographic schemes, and key protective strategies against quantum threats, implementation feasibility, compliance and challenges of implementations. This will provide insight and future directions for new researchers and organizations. .
Most of todays Internet connections are protected through the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol. Its client-server handshake mechanism provides authentication, privacy and data integrity between communicating applications. It is also the security base for the 5G connectivity. While currently considered secure, the dawn of quantum computing represents a threat for TLS. In order to prepare for such an event, TLS must integrate quantum-secure (post-quantum) cryptography (PQC). The use of hybrid approaches, that combines PQC and traditional cryptography are recommended by security agencies. Efficient PQC integration at TLS requires the exploration of a wide set of design parameters and platforms. To this end this work presents the following contributions. First, wide evaluation of PQC-enhanced TLS hybrid protocols, using end-to-end communication latency as metric. Second, the exploration and benchmarking in constrained embedded devices. Third, a wide traffic analysis, including the impact and behavior of PQC-enhanced hybrid TLS in real practical scenarios.
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) provides the essential cryptographic algorithms needed to secure digital networking systems against future adversaries equipped with quantum computing. This paper reviews the PQC research landscape and identifies open challenges and future directions for the critical transition to PQC in digital networking systems. Building on the NIST standardization process which has hardened the PQC cipher algorithm security, this paper analyzes and describes the recent research on PQC implementations and integrations into scalable and standardized networking systems (Internet, web and cellular networks). We review research on the security, side-channel threats, performances, overheads, and compatibility of PQC ciphers. We also study the research incorporating PQC into the standardized web and cellular networking protocols, ranging from testing the PQC feasibility to proposing protocol solutions and mechanisms to enable PQC. Our study highlights the PQC challenge of large parameter sizes, common across the PQC cipher algorithms, and the research proposing protocol- and system-level mechanisms to address them. Informed by the survey, this paper identifies and highlights the research gaps and future directions to facilitate further research and development for PQC and to secure next-generation digital networking systems.
The advent of quantum computing presents a significant threat to the security of modern communication systems that depend on public-key cryptography. This work provides a comprehensive overview of a thesis that explores the integration of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) within the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol and the Automatic Certificate Management Environment (ACME). We assess the feasibility and performance implications of PQC in various network environments, focusing on the hybrid mode approach as a strategic pathway for PQC adoption. Our research aims to develop practical solutions to mitigate the quantum threat while ensuring the integrity and reliability of critical internet protocols.