With the advent of 6G communication systems on the horizon, ensuring that they are secure from quantum computing threats, in a post-quantum era, is of paramount importance. Quantum attacks, computational hardness-based classical cryptographic algorithms are becoming more susceptible to quantum attacks. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has been proposed to address this challenge, which can provide unconditional security based on quantum mechanics for establishing security cryptographic keys. In this work, we review how QKD could fit into the 6G design as part of the general siytematic vision of security exploring its potential implementations, the technical feasibility, and the applications considering both fiber and wireless scenarios. We provide a comparative investigation of performance indicators of QKD systems in simulated 6G scenarios: secret key generation rates, quantum bit error rates (QBER), resistance to noise and user mobility. In addition, hybrid security models between classical post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and QKD to achieve multilayered security protocols are demonstrated. Furthermore, the contribution that could be made by AI/ML to improve QKD performance is analyzed, with particular attention to smart error correction, adaptive key management, anomaly detection, and dynamic routing. Despite significant progress, a number of critical challenges are still open in terms of scale, standardization, interoperability and deployment. In Section VI, we offer a forward-looking research direction, highlighting the importance of the AI empowered QKD, protocols global standardization, and creation of realworld testbeds to drive the QKD from the testbed to the 6G network. It is hoped that the insights provide here will inspire research community and industry partners to build quantum-safe communication infrastructure for the future.
With the advent of 6G communication systems on the horizon, ensuring that they are secure from quantum computing threats, in a post-quantum era, is of paramount importance. Quantum attacks, computational hardness-based classical cryptographic algorithms are becoming more susceptible to quantum attacks. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has been proposed to address this challenge, which can provide unconditional security based on quantum mechanics for establishing security cryptographic keys. In this work, we review how QKD could fit into the 6G design as part of the general siytematic vision of security exploring its potential implementations, the technical feasibility, and the applications considering both fiber and wireless scenarios. We provide a comparative investigation of performance indicators of QKD systems in simulated 6G scenarios: secret key generation rates, quantum bit error rates (QBER), resistance to noise and user mobility. In addition, hybrid security models between classical post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and QKD to achieve multilayered security protocols are demonstrated. Furthermore, the contribution that could be made by AI/ML to improve QKD performance is analyzed, with particular attention to smart error correction, adaptive key management, anomaly detection, and dynamic routing. Despite significant progress, a number of critical challenges are still open in terms of scale, standardization, interoperability and deployment. In Section VI, we offer a forward-looking research direction, highlighting the importance of the AI empowered QKD, protocols global standardization, and creation of realworld testbeds to drive the QKD from the testbed to the 6G network. It is hoped that the insights provide here will inspire research community and industry partners to build quantum-safe communication infrastructure for the future.
With the considerable progress of sixth-generation (6G) networks further on the horizon, security has attracted much attention in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats, especially from quantum computing. Classical cryptographic schemes based on computational hardness are becoming more and more brittle, as they can easily be attacked with a quantum computer. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) arises as a promising tool for information-theoretic security through quantum mechanics to obtain an unbreakable key by exchanging unknown bit sequences. In this paper, we provide an extensive survey on the integration of QKD both in the envisioned 6G architecture, including current implementations, technical feasibility, and deployment of QKD in fiber-based and wireless scenarios. We compare performance metrics of QKD systems in simulating 6G systems such as secret key rates, quantum bit error rates, and robustness to noise and mobility. We propose and investigate hybrid security schemes to leverage both classical PQC and QKD technologies to build multilayered security shields. We highlight the importance of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in improving QKD systems in terms of smart error correction, dynamic routing, anomaly detection, and adaptive key management, and more. In spite of efforts, the paper points out important research challenges that remain to be addressed in scalability, standardization, cross-operation comparison and demonstration. We finally summarize new directions for quantum-secured networking, offering a future research agenda which combines AI, standardization works and real testbeds to deliver a QKD shift from a lab-scale proof of concept to global-scale 6G network adoption. This review serves as a useful reference for researchers and practitioners as they develop quantum-safe, next-generation communication networks.
With the rapid advancement of quantum computing, existing cryptographic schemes in 4G LTE and 5G networks confront serious security threats. Traditional reliance on protocols like IPsec and Transport Layer Security leaves infrastructure vulnerable to future quantum attacks, particularly “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” attacks, where adversaries store current encrypted traffic for future decryption. To counter these threats, Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) have become potential solutions. As future 6G networks aim to realize ultra-reliable and ubiquitous secure connectivity, it is essential to incorporate both PQC and QKD solutions to ensure long-term robustness. Therefore, the synergy of these security solutions and 5G draws the attention of researchers and practitioners worldwide. This study systematically reviews the literature in this specific field. We analyzed evidence from reviewed literature to address three research questions, resulting in a novel taxonomy to categorize publications in this area and a vision for a quantum-safe 6G network. Moreover, we discussed several open challenges in 5G, PQC, and QKD, along with future work.
Quantum computing poses significant challenges to the current cryptographic landscape, particularly with the upcoming deployment of 6G networks. Traditional cryptographic algorithms, such as Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), are vulnerable to quantum-based attacks. This vulnerability has led to the development of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and Satellite-based QKD solutions. This paper provides a comprehensive review of these quantum-safe technologies, discussing their integration within the context of 6G networks. Key performance indicators (KPIs), scalability issues, and hybrid cryptographic solutions are analyzed, along with the potential of Satellite-based QKD in securing global communications. The paper also explores use cases in healthcare, financial services, defense, and autonomous systems, evaluating future research directions and issues in scaling these quantum-safe technologies across industries.
Quantum computing presents significant issues to the current cryptographic landscape, especially with the upcoming deployment of 6G networks. Traditional cryptographic algorithms, such as Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), are vulnerable to quantum-based attacks, leading to the need for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and Satellite-based QKD solutions. This paper offers a comprehensive review of these quantum-safe technologies, discussing their integration within the context of 6G networks. Key performance indicators (KPIs), scalability issues, and hybrid cryptographic solutions are analyzed, along with the potential of Satellite-based QKD in securing global communications. The paper also explores use cases in healthcare, financial services, defense, and autonomous systems, evaluating future research directions and issues in scaling these quantum-safe technologies across industries.
Abstract The increasing demand for secure communications in mobile and critical infrastructure networks has led to the emergence of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) as a promising technique for enhancing cryptographic security in next-generation systems. This paper reviews recent progress in integrating QKD within mobile and wireless networks. It focuses on key enabling technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN), satellite-based, and aerial networks. The paper critically analyzes how these frameworks can address evolving security requirements in sixth-generation (6G) networks and smart city infrastructures. Additionally, it examines the role of Machine Learning (ML) in improving QKD performance and adaptability. Challenges such as key management, mobility support, scalability, and interoperability are explored. These challenges help identify current barriers and research directions. By consolidating developments and highlighting unresolved issues, this study offers researchers valuable insights. It discusses the convergence of quantum communication and advanced mobile architectures, facilitating the design of secure and resilient future communication infrastructures.
Sixth-generation (6G) networks offer unprecedented ultra-reliability, capacity, and low-latency communication. Nevertheless, the same developments also pose security threats to complex communication infrastructures that may be resistant to traditional cryptographic tools, especially in the context of quantum computing. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an innovative technique for achieving unconditional security that leverages quantum-mechanical principles to share cryptographic keys securely. This paper discusses how QKD can be integrated into 6G and beyond networks and used to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data across applications such as autonomous systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart city infrastructure. This paper explores the architecture of QKD-based 6G communication, key-generation systems, and quantum-resistant network layers. It also examines scalability, synchronization, and hardware implementation, and suggests possible hybrid approaches for integrating classical and quantum security protocols. The results imply that the idea of QKD may become the foundation of safeguarded communication systems in the future, ensuring resilience against attacks in the quantum era and enabling individuals to trust the next generation of wireless.