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IGI Global eBooks

Quantum Cryptography

Nakul Pareek, Neha Saini

Published Nov 14, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

As cities adopt integrated IoT ecosystems and data-driven urban governance, traditional encryption faces the threat of obsolescence by quantum computing attacks. This chapter explores the application of quantum cryptography in protecting smart urban infrastructure, with a focus on quantum key distribution (QKD), post-quantum algorithms, and hybrid systems. Through an examination of deployments in smart grids, traffic management systems, and public health platforms, we illustrate how quantum-resistant protocols reduce threats of data breaches and spoofing attacks. There are special challenges: scaling QKD to millions of IoT devices will need new network architectures, and integrating with legacy systems will need phased “crypto-agility” plans. The chapter presents a model for incorporating quantum-safe practice into urban design, with an emphasis on inter-disciplinary collaboration among cryptographers, policymakers, and city administrators.

DOI
10.4018/979-8-3373-3326-7.ch007

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As cities adopt integrated IoT ecosystems and data-driven urban governance, traditional encryption faces the threat of obsolescence by quantum computing attacks. This chapter explores the application of quantum cryptography in protecting smart urban infrastructure, with a focus on quantum key distribution (QKD), post-quantum algorithms, and hybrid systems. Through an examination of deployments in smart grids, traffic management systems, and public health platforms, we illustrate how quantum-resistant protocols reduce threats of data breaches and spoofing attacks. There are special challenges: scaling QKD to millions of IoT devices will need new network architectures, and integrating with legacy systems will need phased “crypto-agility” plans. The chapter presents a model for incorporating quantum-safe practice into urban design, with an emphasis on inter-disciplinary collaboration among cryptographers, policymakers, and city administrators.
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The use of IoT in the building of Smart cities has transformed how urban areas are managed, as people cannot only monitor in real-time but also automate and make decisions that rely on the data they gather. The post-quantum cryptography (PQC) adoption is a very urgent need as the current classical encryption techniques like RSA and ECC can be broken with quantum computers. The chapter discusses PQC usage in the real world, specifically, in terms of smart urban ecosystems and major areas. It includes real-life case studies of PQC pilotage or proposals in quantum-vulnerable settings to make them more resilient. Moreover, the chapter explains the cryptographic algorithms standardized by NIST, assesses their applicability to constrained IoT use, and proposes a Proof of Concept (PoC) architecture of a PQC-enabled smart city. The chapter is an interim between theory and practice and is a part of the overarching topic of quantum-safe and sustainable urban development, and it provides a practical plan to urban planners, technologists, and cybersecurity professionals.
The emergence of quantum computing poses significant threats to classical cryptographic systems, particularly in smart urban environments powered by the internet of things (IoT). This chapter explores the sustainability aspects and future prospects of integrating post-quantum cryptography (PQC) into IoT-based infrastructures. It examines various PQC algorithms, their deployment challenges in resource-constrained devices, and the trade-offs between energy efficiency, performance, and security. The chapter also highlights quantum-specific threats, including communication vulnerabilities and supply chain risks, and emphasizes sustainable strategies such as lightweight cryptography, hybrid models, green computing paradigms, and AI-based optimization. Future research directions call for energy-efficient algorithm design, cryptographic hardware co-development, and multidisciplinary collaboration. The study underscores the importance of aligning cryptographic resilience with long-term sustainability goals in smart city systems.
The development of quantum computing represents an evolutionary change to commonly used forms of public encryption, such as RSA that is designed to protect certain municipal systems which will create further vulnerabilities. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) can provide a further level of encryption. This chapter discusses how post-quantum techniques can be used to secure the smart infrastructures that support an overall long-range planning process and possibly improve a city's resilience to respond to shocks. This chapter also demonstrates examples from practice, references implications for the original research, and makes recommendations for incorporating quantum resilient cryptography into the urban development agenda through systems thinking.
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The Internet of Things (IoT) now underpins critical systems like healthcare monitors, smart home, smart grids, automotive V2V & V2X networks, and industrial controls but it still relies on classical cryptography, whose security assumptions are vulnerable to quantum computers. A large quantum computer could run Shor’s algorithm to break RSA/ECC and use Grover’s algorithm to accelerate brute-forcing of symmetric keys, undermining the confidentiality and authentication of data in these IoT applications. Researchers have proposed quantum cryptographic solutions. Quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum random number generators (QRNGs) exploit quantum mechanics to detect eavesdropping and deliver provably secure key material. For example, chip-scale QRNGs can be embedded in IoT sensors to generate true random keys, boosting resistance to brute-force attacks. These quantum techniques provide information-theoretic secrecy, for instance, QKD-generated keys have been used to authenticate smart-grid SCADA. However, most IoT devices are resource-constrained, making direct deployment of conventional QKD hardware challenging. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) complements quantum methods by providing algorithms such as lattice-based, hash-based that resist quantum attacks on existing hardware. Standardized PQC can be deployed via software updates on legacy IoT nodes, enabling scalable and quantum-safe security within current constraints. Researchers are exploring lightweight PQC for connected cars and e-health sensors. Hybrid approaches combining QKD/QRNG with PQC offer a layered defense. Since QKD protocols are regarded as ‘future-proof’ and PQC standards mature, their combined use will be essential for robust, quantum-safe IoT security. Miniaturizing quantum components such as integrated QKD/QRNG modules and optimizing lightweight PQC schemes for low-power IoT devices are future research directions to secure IoT networks.