Next-generation networks rely on edge computing for low-latency, distributed processing, yet face critical security vulnerabilities (e.g., eavesdropping) and fault tolerance challenges. To address these limitations, we propose a quantumedge computing framework integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with classical edge architecture enhanced by quantum teleportation and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) pair management for secure, distributed processing. QKD enables information-theoretically secure key exchange by leveraging quantum principles like no-cloning and entanglement, while quantum error correction enhances resilience against node failures. Our hybrid approach combines edge computing’s efficiency with quantum security, ensuring robust operation in adversarial environments. For the validation we have simulated hybrid network topology consisting of 6 different nodes acting as edge and user equipments. Data is being exchanged between nodes in the form of key pairs. To evaluate fault tolerance and security resilience, we simulated 3 scenarios: 1) Normal operating state, 2) Induce fault state and 3) Security breach state. The Simulations demonstrate significant improvements: 10× faster attack detection, 25× faster recovery, and 1.85× higher task success under simultaneous failure and attack. Overall, the quantum-edge framework achieves a 2.88× performance boost, offering a 3× advantage over classical systems.
Next-generation networks rely on edge computing for low-latency, distributed processing, yet face critical security vulnerabilities (e.g., eavesdropping) and fault tolerance challenges. To address these limitations, we propose a quantumedge computing framework integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with classical edge architecture enhanced by quantum teleportation and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) pair management for secure, distributed processing. QKD enables information-theoretically secure key exchange by leveraging quantum principles like no-cloning and entanglement, while quantum error correction enhances resilience against node failures. Our hybrid approach combines edge computing’s efficiency with quantum security, ensuring robust operation in adversarial environments. For the validation we have simulated hybrid network topology consisting of 6 different nodes acting as edge and user equipments. Data is being exchanged between nodes in the form of key pairs. To evaluate fault tolerance and security resilience, we simulated 3 scenarios: 1) Normal operating state, 2) Induce fault state and 3) Security breach state. The Simulations demonstrate significant improvements: 10× faster attack detection, 25× faster recovery, and 1.85× higher task success under simultaneous failure and attack. Overall, the quantum-edge framework achieves a 2.88× performance boost, offering a 3× advantage over classical systems.
The exponential growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its integration into critical infrastructures has elevated the need for robust and future-proof security mechanisms. Traditional cryptographic systems, while effective today, are increasingly vulnerable to advancements in quantum computing. This paper explores the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) as a novel security paradigm for next-generation IoT ecosystems. QKD leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to enable unconditionally secure key exchange, immune to computational attacks. We propose an architecture where QKD-enabled edge gateways and IoT nodes facilitate real-time secure communication through quantum-secured channels. The study analyzes the feasibility of implementing QKD in resource-constrained IoT environments and evaluates its performance in terms of key generation rate, latency, and energy consumption. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed QKD-IoT framework significantly outperforms conventional encryption protocols in resisting both classical and quantum-based attacks, making it a viable foundation for building post-quantum resilient IoT infrastructures. The research also outlines the challenges related to scalability, hardware integration, and key management, and proposes solutions through hybrid QKD-classical cryptography models. This work paves the way for a quantum-secure IoT future, ensuring trust, privacy, and integrity in hyper-connected digital ecosystems.
The integration of quantum communication principles with 5G technology presents a groundbreaking approach to addressing the growing demand for high-speed, secure, and resilient communication systems. This paper proposes a Quantum-Driven Hybrid Network Architecture that leverages Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for unparalleled security and combines it with 5G's ultra-fast data transmission capabilities. The architecture integrates key components such as QKD modules, 5G infrastructure, and edge computing, organized into a layered framework comprising quantum, network control, and application layers. Simulation results demonstrate significant improvements in throughput (up to 23.5%), latency reduction (up to 25%), and error rate reduction in high-noise environments (from 0.25% to 0.05%). The proposed system also exhibits enhanced security, achieving a 100% success rate in mitigating eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Using resource-efficient mechanisms, the hybrid network achieves an overall accuracy of 97.8% in secure and resilient data transmission. This work validates the potential of quantum-enhanced 5G systems to meet the challenges of future communication networks.
The integration of quantum cryptography and blockchain offers a transformative approach to enhance data security in cloud environments. Quantum cryptography, leveraging principles of quantum mechanics such as quantum key distribution (QKD), ensures unbreakable encryption by enabling secure key exchange. Simultaneously, blockchain technology introduces decentralization, transparency, and immutability, ensuring data integrity and preventing unauthorized tampering. This research explores the synergy between these technologies to develop a novel framework for cloud security. The proposed model leverages QKD for secure communication channels and blockchain-based distributed ledgers for verifying transactions and access control. Key contributions include a hybrid encryption mechanism using quantum keys, a consensus algorithm optimized for cloud operations, and integration strategies to mitigate quantum attacks. Performance evaluations demonstrate enhanced resilience against data breaches, improved key management, and seamless scalability for modern cloud architectures. This study establishes a secure, future-proof infrastructure that addresses emerging threats in the post-quantum era while ensuring trust, confidentiality, and data integrity in cloud ecosystems.
Traditional cryptographic methods are becoming more and more vulnerable when facing the computing power delivered by the quantum algorithm in the era of digitalization heading towards quantum computing. The realization of a quantum computer is a growing menace that has promoted the development of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), a completely secure key exchange protocol based on the principles of quantum mechanics. This work studies QKD protocol creation and use for secure data transfer in hybrid networks including both classical and quantum computing nodes over geographically separated environments. The paper provides a scalable scheme to integrate QKD with current classical communication networks, with the emphasis on interoperability, key synchronization, secure routing among the mixed nodes. At the core of the model are quantum channels for key exchange and classical channels for data, governed by a quantum-safe control protocol. The security of QKD—the feature of resistance against eavesdropping according to the no-cloning theorem and disturbance of measurement—is investigated taking into account actual implementation aspects, such as noise, restriction in a transmission distance, and quantum memory. To test the model, simulation, and prototype testing are performed over different networking topologies, considering various parameters such as QBER, key generation rate, latency and system robustness under different attacks such as man-in-the-middle as well as photon-number-splitting attacks. We also investigate the interworking between QKD and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to reduce the risk for hybrid systems with enhanced security and to be backward compatible to classical systems. Findings show that, when well combined with classical and quantum computing nodes, QKD is able to bring the cybersecurity of today communication infrastructures to a greater extent. This research is a step towards building the quantum internet, providing a solid foundation for applications in cybersecurity and potentially well beyond — finance, defense, health care and more — where data privacy truly matters.
The widespread cryptographic methods RSA and AES have become more susceptible to quantum-based attacks because researchers developed quantum algorithms such as Shor's and Grover's. QKD chromosomes from quantum mechanics grant authorized parties the ability to exchange cryptographic keys securely alongside built-in eavesdropping detection functionality. In the proposed method a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is used to integrate into cloud environments to secure data against quantum threats which have become crucial security concerns today. A new security framework for combining QKD with standard cloud utilities strengthens both access privacy and verify data integrity and ensure authentication of user information. The system framework consists of key generation from quantum elements followed by distribution through quantum channels to support secure communication protocols for Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) as well as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The key performance evaluation of the QKD system includes measurements of key generation rate together with Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) and eavesdropping detection accuracy rates. The analysis against traditional cryptographic systems proves that QKD stands superior in quantum attack resilience. The proposed system demonstrates its efficiency and robustness through simulation outcomes as well as visual representations. The presented work demonstrates both the revolutionary capability of quantum technology for cloud security along with a deployable system architecture for future systems implementation. The research work advances the creation of cloud infrastructure systems which combine high security resilience to protect against future cyber threats.
The rapid advancement of quantum computing threatens the security foundations of classical public-key cryptographic systems such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), which underpin cloud and edge infrastructures. With scalable quantum algorithms capable of breaking widely deployed cryptographic primitives, organizations must transition toward quantum-resilient security models. This paper proposes a comprehensive Quantum-Resilient Cryptographic Architecture (QRCA) designed specifically for cloud and edge computing environments. The framework integrates post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms, hybrid key exchange protocols, zero-trust principles, and hardware-assisted secure enclaves. We present a layered security model that balances computational overhead, latency constraints, and scalability requirements in distributed systems. Experimental simulations evaluate performance metrics including encryption latency, key exchange overhead, and throughput across cloud data centres and edge nodes. Results indicate that hybrid PQC deployments achieve strong quantum resilience with manageable performance trade-offs. The proposed architecture offers a practical migration pathway for organizations seeking future-proof cryptographic security in distributed computing ecosystems.