With its disaggregated and open interfaces, the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture promises flexibility, innovation, and cost-effectiveness for future wireless networks. However, the increased reliance on software and open interfaces also introduces new security challenges. As the threat of quantum computing looms, the traditional cryptographic algorithms used in O-RAN will become vulnerable to potential attacks. This paper proposes the integration of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) into O-RAN to enhance its security against post-quantum adversaries. We discuss the specific vulnerabilities of current O-RAN security mechanisms to quantum attacks and identify key areas where PQC can be applied, such as key exchange, authentication, and data protection. We present a framework for evaluating the suitability of different PQC algorithms for O-RAN and outline potential challenges and implementation considerations. By proactively integrating PQC into O-RAN, we aim to ensure the long-term security and resilience of this emerging network architecture in the era of quantum computing.
With its disaggregated and open interfaces, the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture promises flexibility, innovation, and cost-effectiveness for future wireless networks. However, the increased reliance on software and open interfaces also introduces new security challenges. As the threat of quantum computing looms, the traditional cryptographic algorithms used in O-RAN will become vulnerable to potential attacks. This paper proposes the integration of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) into O-RAN to enhance its security against post-quantum adversaries. We discuss the specific vulnerabilities of current O-RAN security mechanisms to quantum attacks and identify key areas where PQC can be applied, such as key exchange, authentication, and data protection. We present a framework for evaluating the suitability of different PQC algorithms for O-RAN and outline potential challenges and implementation considerations. By proactively integrating PQC into O-RAN, we aim to ensure the long-term security and resilience of this emerging network architecture in the era of quantum computing.
Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN) introduce unprecedented flexibility, interoperability, and intelligence into next-generation wireless systems, but their disaggregated and software-defined architecture also expands the attack surface and creates new security vulnerabilities. Conventional cryptographic mechanisms, while effective against classical threats, may become insufficient in the presence of quantum-enabled adversaries. This article presents a comprehensive perspective on quantum security for O-RAN, examining how quantum-resilient mechanisms can enhance confidentiality, authentication, and trust across the RAN ecosystem. It discusses post-quantum cryptography (PQC), quantum cryptography, quantum authentication, and quantum-enhanced threat detection within a zero-trust architecture based on continuous verification, least privilege, and micro-segmentation. Their integration with the Near-Real-Time (Near-RT) RAN Intelligent Controller, O-Cloud, and open interfaces is analyzed, together with practical deployment considerations, technology maturity, and adoption timelines. Finally, open research directions are outlined toward secure, resilient, and future-proof O-RAN architectures for 6G networks.
The telecommunications industry faces a dual transformation: the architectural shift toward Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN) and the emerging threat from quantum computing. O-RAN disaggregated, multi-vendor architecture creates a larger attack surface vulnerable to crypt-analytically relevant quantum computers(CRQCs) that will break current public key cryptography. The Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL) attack strategy makes this threat immediate, as adversaries can intercept encrypted data today for future decryption. This paper presents Q-RAN, a comprehensive quantum-resistant security framework for O-RAN networks using NIST-standardized Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). We detail the implementation of ML-KEM (FIPS 203) and ML-DSA (FIPS 204), integrated with Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNG) for cryptographic entropy. The solution deploys PQ-IPsec, PQ-DTLS, and PQ-mTLS protocols across all O-RAN interfaces, anchored by a centralized Post-Quantum Certificate Authority (PQ-CA) within the SMO framework. This work provides a complete roadmap for securing disaggregated O-RAN ecosystems against quantum adversaries.
Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN) introduce flexibility and multi-vendor interoperability through open and standardized interfaces. The emergence of programmable RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs), along with the ability to deploy third-party applications as xApps and rApps, further accelerates innovation. However, these advancements also expand the attack surface of 6G infrastructures and introduce significant new security challenges. As quantum computing threatens classical cryptography, O-RAN security must evolve toward quantum-resilient mechanisms. This article outlines a layered migration roadmap for integrating Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and hybrid schemes into O-RAN’s identity, control, and runtime layers. Building on O-RAN Alliance Work Group 11 and GSMA post-quantum telco network task force guidelines, we estimate the relative cost and performance trade-offs of classical, hybrid, and PQC-only protections across key interfaces. The results show that hybrid integration provides near-term quantum resistance with moderate overhead, while full PQC deployment requires architectural adaptations. The proposed approach offers a standards-aligned path toward secure, interoperable, and energy-aware O-RAN evolution for 6G.
Nowadays, 5G architecture is characterized by the use of monolithic hardware, where the configuration of its elements is completely proprietary for each manufacturer. In recent years, as an alternative to this centralized architecture, a new model has emerged: the Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN). One of its main features has been the split of the Base Band Unit (BBU) into new simpler hardware with more specific functions approaching to a more modular model. As a consequence of this split, new interfaces appeared to connect these components that need to be protected. With the developments in the field of quantum computing, traditional protection mechanisms for this kind of interfaces may be deprecated in the near future. This security issue motivates this paper, which aims to study how to integrate post-quantum cryptography (PQC) mechanisms to current security standards, such as IPsec and MACsec. In addition, the proposal is also put into practice to compare the performance of traditional mechanisms with PQC implementations. This research shows that the new implementation does not reduce the performance of the aforementioned standards, while the security is reinforced against quantum attacks.
The evolving 5G architecture, moving from proprietary monolithic hardware towards the disaggregated and modular Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN), introduces new, critical interfaces requiring robust security. While IPSec is a prevalent solution for securing IP communications, the advent of quantum computing threatens its traditional cryptographic underpinnings; it may be deprecated in the near future. To address this, we propose a quantum-safe Open RAN framework for securing fronthaul (i.e., Radio Unit-Distributed Unit) and backhaul (i.e., Centralized Unit-5G core) interfaces. Our framework employs a hybrid key exchange scheme, combining post-quantum cryptography (PQC) with quantum keys as cryptographic material, designed for seamless integration with TLS, IKEv2/IPSec, and MACSec standards, and compatible with ETSI QKD 004 and 014 APIs. Furthermore, we present a novel key distribution protocol for Quantum Key Distribution Networks (QKDN). This protocol incorporates encapsulation techniques inspired by onion routing, combined with PQC, to ensure confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, and anonymity. It also leverages post-quantum public key encryption to protect shared secrets from intermediate nodes within the QKDN, mitigating intermediary attacks. We have deployed a proof-of-concept of our proposal, experimentally validating both air-based and fiber-based QKD, primarily using ML-KEM and ML-DSA standards for PQC algorithms.
The rise of quantum computing poses a major threat to traditional ciphers, specifically making the Radio Access Network (RAN) vulnerable to future quantum-based attacks. To address this challenge, this paper proposes quantum-inspired RAN (Q-RAN), a next-generation framework designed to future-proof telecom networks against quantum threats. As a foundation, to evaluate, we integrate quantum network simulators with the Open-Source OpenAirInterface (OAI) stack to deploy a 5G standalone network capable of supporting quantum operations. We analyzed these, and the best fit is taken for quantum proofing. This paper considered four different quantum simulators — QuNetSim, SimQN, SeQuence, and NetSquid — for integrating with the 5G Open source stack. The framework generated by these simulators is called Quantum Gateways (namely Qtunnels) enables seamless message exchange between quantum and classical RAN components. This integrated architecture showcases how quantum simulators can be harmonized on existing 5G infrastructure, establishing a resilient and adaptable telco ecosystem catered to the quantum era or post-quantum era. In addition, this paper quantifies the Qtunnel impact — F1 Interface — between the Central Unit (CU) and Distribution Unit (DU) of RAN. The results show that the Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC)-enabled F1 interfaces provide a two-fold overhead delay when compared to the benchmark delay, however, the PQC-enabled RAN interfaces are resistant to quantum threats.