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Engineering Science and Technology an International Journal

QSAC: Quantum-assisted Secure Audio Communication using quantum entanglement, audio steganography, and classical encryption

Md. Raisul Islam Rifat, Md. Mizanur Rahman, Md. Abdul Kader Nayon, Md Shawmoon Azad, M. R. C. Mahdy

Published Aug 22, 2025• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The emergence of quantum computing poses a significant security threat to the current classical cryptography system since it has the potential to outperform the current classical computer in some specific tasks due to its unique principle of operation. This necessitates finding a method that is resistant to quantum computers to securely transfer information. This research addresses these challenges by proposing a novel method combining quantum key distribution (QKD), specifically the E91 protocol, with the classical encryption-authentication protocol ChaCha20-Poly1305, and concealing information within another message through steganography to securely transfer audio messages. A shared secret key is created between the communicating parties using E91 QKD, which exploits the stellar protection of quantum entanglement against eavesdropping. The shared key is hashed through the SHA–3 hash function to generate a fixed-length, high-entropy symmetric key. The audio message is hidden inside another audio signal through steganography. The steganographic signal is encrypted using ChaCha20-Poly1305 AEAD in order to provide another layer of obfuscation as well as a means to verify integrity. Through rigorous experiments, we validated the robustness of the proposed methodology in both classical and quantum attacks. The processing of secret audio signals of varying duration (00:01:32 to 00:01:36) exhibits consistent encryption results. The encrypted stego audios show high randomness, with an average entropy of 15.9984, an average correlation of 1 . 4627 × 1 0 − 5 , an average UACI of 49.9977%, and an average NSCR of 99.9985%. We demonstrated the safety of the shared key using the CHSH inequality test, where in the presence of an eavesdropper, the CHSH value is much less than 2 2 . In addition, the integrity of the secret audio is also validated through the verification of the authenticator tag generated during the encryption process. Our research offers a novel framework for secure audio transmission, combining classical encryption and authentication methods with QKD to enhance confidentiality, integrity, and resilience against eavesdropping and tampering, ensuring robust end-to-end security.

DOI
10.1016/j.jestch.2025.102167

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The emergence of quantum computing poses a significant security threat to the current classical cryptography system since it has the potential to outperform the current classical computer in some specific tasks due to its unique principle of operation. This necessitates finding a method that is resistant to quantum computers to securely transfer information. This research addresses these challenges by proposing a novel method combining quantum key distribution (QKD), specifically the E91 protocol, with the classical encryption-authentication protocol ChaCha20-Poly1305, and concealing information within another message through steganography to securely transfer audio messages. A shared secret key is created between the communicating parties using E91 QKD, which exploits the stellar protection of quantum entanglement against eavesdropping. The shared key is hashed through the SHA–3 hash function to generate a fixed-length, high-entropy symmetric key. The audio message is hidden inside another audio signal through steganography. The steganographic signal is encrypted using ChaCha20-Poly1305 AEAD in order to provide another layer of obfuscation as well as a means to verify integrity. Through rigorous experiments, we validated the robustness of the proposed methodology in both classical and quantum attacks. The processing of secret audio signals of varying duration (00:01:32 to 00:01:36) exhibits consistent encryption results. The encrypted stego audios show high randomness, with an average entropy of 15.9984, an average correlation of 1 . 4627 × 1 0 − 5 , an average UACI of 49.9977%, and an average NSCR of 99.9985%. We demonstrated the safety of the shared key using the CHSH inequality test, where in the presence of an eavesdropper, the CHSH value is much less than 2 2 . In addition, the integrity of the secret audio is also validated through the verification of the authenticator tag generated during the encryption process. Our research offers a novel framework for secure audio transmission, combining classical encryption and authentication methods with QKD to enhance confidentiality, integrity, and resilience against eavesdropping and tampering, ensuring robust end-to-end security.
This research introduces a novel cryptographic system that enhances the security of steganographic images by integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with traditional encryption. Using the E91 QKD protocol, it generates a shared secret key between parties, leveraging quantum entanglement to provide superior protection against eavesdropping. The quantum key is then hashed with the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) to produce a fixed-length, high-entropy key for symmetric encryption . The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is employed to encrypt steganographic images, which conceal critical data within digital images, adding an extra layer of security through obscurity. Experiments with images of varying resolutions (64 × 64 to 512 × 512 pixels) show consistent encryption performance. The encrypted images exhibit high randomness, with an average entropy of 7.9929. Differential attack resilience is demonstrated by a Number of Pixels Change Rate (NPCR) averaging 99.6928% and a Unified Average Changing Intensity (UACI) of 56.1549%. The average E91 protocol key generation time is 5.78 s with a key rate of 7.43 bps. Encryption and decryption times for test images are 0.00149 and 0.00175 s, respectively. This research combines quantum and classical cryptography with steganography, providing a robust security framework highly resistant to both quantum and classical threats.
The emergence of quantum computing has introduced unprecedented security challenges to conventional cryptographic systems, particularly in the domain of optical communications. This research addresses these challenges by innovatively combining quantum key distribution (QKD), specifically the E91 protocol, with logistic chaotic maps to establish a secure image transmission scheme. Our approach utilizes the unpredictability of chaotic systems alongside the robust security mechanisms inherent in quantum entanglement. The scheme is further fortified with an eavesdropping detection mechanism based on CHSH inequality, thereby enhancing its resilience against unauthorized access. Through quantitative simulations, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this scheme in encrypting images, achieving high entropy and sensitivity to the original images. The results indicate a significant improvement in encryption and decryption efficiency, showcasing the potential of the scheme as a viable solution against the vulnerabilities posed by quantum computing advancements. Our research offers a novel perspective in secure optical communications, blending the principles of chaos theory with QKD to create a more robust cryptographic framework.
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In recent times, secure data transmission become crucial requirement because of increasing growth of threats and emergence of quantum computing technologies. However, existing Quantum Key Distribution-Advanced Encryption Standard-Least Significant Bit (QKD-AES-LSB) struggled with two main limitations such as restricted resistance to future quantum attacks because of dependence on classical encryption and vulnerability of static LSB steganography for improved Machine Learning (ML) approaches. To address these challenges, Quantum Key Distribution-Post-Quantum Cryptography-Adaptive Steganographic Encryption framework (QKD-PQC-ASE) is proposed. Primarily, secret data and cover images are gathered then quantum key is generated using E91 protocol. Next, post-quantum cryptographic key encapsulation is applied to strengthened the generated kay and ensure long-term quantum resistance. Further, secret data is encrypted employing quantum-resilient encryption mechanism and combined using cryptographic hashing. Furthermore, encrypted data is embedded in to cover image through quantum-randomness-guided adaptive steganography for resisting improved steganalysis attacks. Finally, proposed QKD-PQC-ASE framework obtains improved resistance against future quantum attacks and enhanced steganalysis by maintaining low computational overhead. Therefore, proposed QKD-PQC-ASE framework achieved greater results in terms of NPCR of 99.84 % and a UACI of57.92%\mathbf{5 7. 9 2 \%}57.92%which demonstrates efficiency of framework for secure and future-ready data encryption in quantum-aware communication environments.
With the rise of quantum computing and the limitations of traditional encryption methods, ensuring secure data transmission in IoT frameworks has become increasingly critical. This work presents a quantum-enhanced hybrid communication system that integrates adaptive audio techniques with quantum image processing. The proposed system operates in three main stages: first, text data is converted into binary format and encoded into quantum circuits using Qiskit; second, the quantum-encoded data is embedded into audio signals using an adaptive Least Significant Bit (LSB) technique; finally, the stego-audio’s robustness is evaluated under simulated IoT network conditions. Unlike conventional approaches, this method offers dual-layer security by combining dynamic audio embedding with quantum-based image representation, making it resistant to both quantum attacks and signal degradation. Experimental results demonstrate strong performance, with a Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) ranging from 45 to 50 dB, a Bit Error Rate (BER) below 2%, and entropy values exceeding 7.5. These outcomes indicate the system’s effectiveness for secure, quantum-resilient communication in IoT environments with bandwidth and security constraints.
Current communication systems predominantly operate using classical bits, with security mechanisms grounded in traditional cryptographic techniques. These conventional methods rely on the computational difficulty of discrete mathematical problems, which are expected to be vulnerable in the emerging quantum era. The advent of quantum computing poses a significant threat to existing cryptographic protocols, as quantum algorithms can potentially break schemes once considered computationally intractable. This scenario has accelerated interest in quantum cryptography, an advanced paradigm that leverages the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics to ensure secure data transmission. Quantum cryptography, and in particular Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), offers a robust alternative to classical key exchange methods. Unlike classical schemes, QKD’s security is rooted in the physical properties of quantum states, making it immune to computational advancements, including those offered by quantum computers. Among the various QKD protocols, the E91 protocol, based on quantum entanglement, demonstrates significant potential for enhancing communication security and resilience against cyber-attacks. This study investigates the role of quantum cryptography in safeguarding data transfer, with a specific focus on the E91 QKD protocol. It explores the operational principles, security advantages, and practical considerations of E91 in the context of evolving cybersecurity threats. By providing a detailed examination of E91’s implementation and performance, this research contributes novel insights into its feasibility as a cornerstone technology for building secure communication frameworks in the post-quantum era.