Quantum computing poses threats to existing cryptographic protocols like RSA and ECC. We propose QUBE-Crypto, a hybrid framework integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Post-Quantum Digital Signatures, Blockchain storage, and Pseudorandom Quantum States (PRSs). This architecture provides zero-trust authentication with provable security against classical and quantum attacks. Complexity analysis shows O(nlogn) authentication overhead with 150-260ms latency, suitable for IoT (ESP32), 5G/6G networks, and government deployments. Our system combines blockchain-secured identity registration with BB84 QKD, PRS-based challenges, and postquantum signatures (Dilithium-5, SQIsignHD), optimized for resource-constrained devices.
Quantum computing poses threats to existing cryptographic protocols like RSA and ECC. We propose QUBE-Crypto, a hybrid framework integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Post-Quantum Digital Signatures, Blockchain storage, and Pseudorandom Quantum States (PRSs). This architecture provides zero-trust authentication with provable security against classical and quantum attacks. Complexity analysis shows O(nlogn) authentication overhead with 150-260ms latency, suitable for IoT (ESP32), 5G/6G networks, and government deployments. Our system combines blockchain-secured identity registration with BB84 QKD, PRS-based challenges, and postquantum signatures (Dilithium-5, SQIsignHD), optimized for resource-constrained devices.
The advent of quantum computing poses a threat to the bases of classical cryptographies and thus the RSA and ECC are susceptible to attacks at the time of a poly with Shors algorithm. The present paper proposes QUBE-Crypto (Quantum Unbreakable Blockchain-Enhanced Cryptography) which is a new multi-layered protocol that facilitates a synergistic combination of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) that can provide information-theoretic key protection, Post-Quantum Digital Signatures (Dilithium-5, SQIsignHD) that offer computational authentication resilience, blockchain-based immutable identity anchoring and Pseudorandom Quantum State (PRS) challenges that can provide unforgeable verification. Unlike existing approaches that address quantum threats in isolation, QUBE-Crypto provides end-to-end quantum-safe communication by combining provably secure key exchange, quantum-resistant signatures, decentralized trust, and clone-proof authentication. The protocol is formally specified through a five-phase algorithm encompassing initialization, QKD-based session key establishment, PRS-based challengeresponse authentication, blockchain-anchored verification, and encrypted message exchange. Applications span IoT security, smart cities, digital voting, and decentralized identity systems requiring resilience against both classical and quantum adversaries.
When quantum computers become practical the traditional cryptographic systems will need replacement because they cannot protect against quantum attacks. We present QUBE-Crypto as our innovative hybrid cryptographic solution made of multiple protection methods which blend Quantum Key Distribution with post-quantum digital signatures and blockchain technology plus pseudorandom quantum state security challenges. QUBE-Crypto offers QUBE-AUTH as a protocol to secure quantum identity verification and communication processes. The system verifies authentications unbreakably through quantum behaviors and protects communication with Dilithium-5 digital signatures plus blockchain time stamps. QUBE-Crypto offers simple hardware setups and matches the 5 G and 6 G networks which makes it workable across different internet-of-things devices plus lets users send private messages safely and set up digital services without a central authority.
The present paper presents QUBE-Crypto, a new authentication system providing an integration of three fundamental security mechanisms: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), and blockchain. The mechanism was implemented for Internet of Things (IoT) and for this purpose, outstanding performance results were obtained. The testing on ESP32 microcontrollers is fully authenticated in 3.5 seconds us- ing only 45 mJ energy. The framework is Dilithium-5—an NIST-standardized post-quantum signature algorithm which offers 128-bits security. The blockchain offers distributed verification of identities without centralized trust with consensus latency of 8.2 seconds. While post-quantum and quantum defenses are integrated, the re- sults show that QUBE-Crypto achieves comparable performance to traditional systems while ensuring security through quantum-resistant methods that integrate identity management on a blockchain. The whole framework is suitable for resource-limited applications such as smart home sensors, industrial IoT, and medical instruments. This research offers empirical demonstration of quantum-safe authentication on embedded devices and provides a prototype for the post-quantum IoT security era.
Quantum computing is posing a serious risk to classical cryptographic tools such as RSA and ECC as sophisticated quantum algorithms are able to crack their mathematical foundation in a time bound that is a a polynomial in the number of repetitions. In this paper, we will describe the process of integrating Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) into a hybrid approach to secure communications in the post-quantum world. The suggested methodology is a combination of the computational efficiency and scalability of PQC and the information-theoretic security and eavesdropping detection abilities of QKD. Simulation observations indicate that PQC-only systems are both faster in generating keys and scalable, but do not have a strong eavesdropping detection. On the other hand, non-conditional security is only a feature of systems based on QKD, but it is also highly overhead and slows down key rate. The hybrid PQC-Q KD model provides a balanced performance, high resilience, high authentication, high confidentiality, and realistic deployability. On balance, this discussion demonstrates that the hybrid approach is better than standalone methods and can provide a strong solution to protect against new quantum threats. The large-scale network protocol can be optimized, resources and further integration with other emerging technologies, such as 5G/6G, IoT or cloud computing, can be directed in future research.
The evolution of 6G networks necessitates robust authentication and key agreement (AKA) protocols to counter emerging security challenges, particularly the threat posed by quantum computing. Existing 5G-AKA protocols remain vulnerable to user tracking, replay attacks, and false base station impersonation, while Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and RSA-based key exchanges face imminent obsolescence due to quantum attacks. This study examines the vulnerabilities of 5G-AKA and explores hybrid post-quantum cryptography (PQC) as a transitional security solution for 6G networks. We evaluate NIST-standardized PQC algorithms, focusing on their computational overhead, key size efficiency, and adaptability to heterogeneous network environments, including IoT and ultra-low latency applications. A comparative analysis of hybrid cryptographic schemes demonstrates that lattice-based (Kyber, Dilithium), hash-based (SPHINCS+), and code-based (BIKE, Classic McEliece) PQC techniques provide varying trade-offs between security, efficiency, and deployment feasibility. Furthermore, we propose a quantum-resistant 6G-AKA framework, integrating hybrid PQC, AI-driven trust mechanisms, and decentralized authentication to ensure scalability and interoperability. Experimental benchmarks highlight potential performance constraints, including latency in PQC-based key exchange and resource limitations in edge computing. Addressing these challenges requires the optimization of lightweight PQC implementations, formal security validation, and global standardization efforts. Our findings provide a roadmap for the secure transition to 6G authentication protocols, ensuring resilience against both classical and quantum threats.
The advent of quantum computing poses a significant threat to classical cryptographic systems, necessitating the development of quantum-resistant alternatives. This thesis explores a hybrid key exchange framework combining Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) to secure classical post-processing steps such as information reconciliation and privacy amplification. Specifically, CRYSTALS-Kyber is used for key encapsulation, while CRYSTALS-Dilithium and SPHINCS+ provide digital signatures for authentication. While the mathematical security foundations of these algorithms are assumed, their integration is evaluated through performance benchmarking and system-level analysis. The results show that incorporating PQC-based authentication into QKD post-processing significantly improves resilience against quantum adversaries, while introducing only a reasonable computational and bandwidth overhead. This work contributes to the development of robust hybrid cryptographic systems capable of with standing both classical and quantum-era threats.