The digitization of distribution networks necessitates robust, quantum-resistant communication protocols to secure end-to-main-station interactions amid escalating connectivity and quantum computing threats. Traditional cryptographic schemes, susceptible to Shor’s algorithm, prove inadequate in wireless settings marred by fading and interference, while prior QKD-5G hybrids neglect hierarchical architectures and service diversity. This paper proposes an innovative framework that fuses quantum key distribution (QKD) with 5G primitives—such as beamforming and network slicing—to realize stratified authentication, adaptive one-time-pad key distribution, and service-tailored protocols. Core innovations encompass threshold-based edge key pooling for enhanced scalability, channel state information (CSI)-driven QKD adaptations for noise mitigation, and convex-optimized slicing for isolating ultra-reliable low-latency (URLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services. Security analysis establishes information-theoretic assurances against semi-honest adversaries, with simulations demonstrating superior key rates, low latencies, and large-scale terminal support—outperforming baselines in resilience. This framework propels quantum-secure smart grids forward, alleviating post-quantum vulnerabilities and promoting resilient energy systems.
The digitization of distribution networks necessitates robust, quantum-resistant communication protocols to secure end-to-main-station interactions amid escalating connectivity and quantum computing threats. Traditional cryptographic schemes, susceptible to Shor’s algorithm, prove inadequate in wireless settings marred by fading and interference, while prior QKD-5G hybrids neglect hierarchical architectures and service diversity. This paper proposes an innovative framework that fuses quantum key distribution (QKD) with 5G primitives—such as beamforming and network slicing—to realize stratified authentication, adaptive one-time-pad key distribution, and service-tailored protocols. Core innovations encompass threshold-based edge key pooling for enhanced scalability, channel state information (CSI)-driven QKD adaptations for noise mitigation, and convex-optimized slicing for isolating ultra-reliable low-latency (URLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services. Security analysis establishes information-theoretic assurances against semi-honest adversaries, with simulations demonstrating superior key rates, low latencies, and large-scale terminal support—outperforming baselines in resilience. This framework propels quantum-secure smart grids forward, alleviating post-quantum vulnerabilities and promoting resilient energy systems.
The advent of 6G terahertz (THz) communication networks offers unparalleled data rates and ultra-dense device connectivity but introduces tremendous vulnerabilities to quantum computing attacks. Conventional cryptographic techniques such as RSA and ECC are becoming increasingly vulnerable to quantum attacks and are thus a serious threat to network integrity and data confidentiality. The research here addresses the challenge of protecting 6G-THz networks from quantum adversaries by designing a quantum-resilient cryptographic protocol for ultra-dense network scenarios. The main objective is to offer resilient, scalable, and low-latency encryption and authentication to enable high-throughput THz communications. The system leverages lattice-based post-quantum cryptography combined with a light-weight key distribution protocol and hierarchical identity management to support massive device connectivity. The novelty lies in the adaptive blending of post-quantum primitives optimized to the bandwidth and latency limitations inherent in THz systems, combined with context-aware key negotiation to remove quantum threats in real time. The protocol significantly enhances future network resilience in quantum-enabled adversarial networks.
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.
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 existence of quantum computing presents an existential threat to the traditional cryptographic algorithms, and there is a need to create communication mechanisms that are fundamentally secure. In this regard, the concept of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) provides information-theoretic security, which is founded on quantum mechanics. Nevertheless, conventional QKD protocols have serious shortcomings such as lack of distance in communication, vulnerability to side-channel attacks, and inability to support the large-scale heterogeneous network. We suggest that HQNet-QKD a Hybrid Quantum Key Distribution framework can help solve these issues by offering a more secure, scalable and future-proof key exchange framework in hybrid classical-quantum networks. To support multi-layered security, the proposed architecture is a network ensuring the smoothness of decoy-state BB84, Measurement-Device-Independent QKD (MDI-QKD), entanglement/twin-field-based QKD with verifiable Secret Sharing (VSS) and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). It provides a complete methodology such as system architecture, mathematical modeling, and end-to-end key synthesis. When used over a distance of 300 km, simulation and testing have shown that HQNet-QKD can achieve up to2.7×higher secret key rate (SKR) than conventional methods, secret communication at 700 km and resilience to both quantum and classical attacks more than 96%. In addition, the framework guarantees forward secrecy, detector-side immunity, contextbound key derivation, and composability and thus resistant to current and future adversaries. It has a low-computational overhead modular design, making it trivial to deploy in a real world, in applications like quantum-secured 5G backbones, cloud data centers, critical infrastructure, and satellite-based communication systems. The findings make HQNet-QKD a new generation solution to quantum-safe secure communication and the first step towards the implementation of the quantum internet.
5G is a fifth-generation mobile network that provides efficient wireless communication over the previous generation. It provides faster data speeds, lower delays, and more capacity to connect with many devices simultaneously. In this work, network slicing in 5G networks is discussed with regard to security measures which include QKD(Quantum Key Distribution) and PQC(Post-Quantum Cryptographic). It allows for the formation of numerous granular and independent virtual networks based on a shared physical network. The model explores security where QKD keys address links and encompass PQC to counter other quantum technology threats in the future. Furthermore, there are reliability measures introduced, including route adjustments, with a self repairing capability for link failure in multi-slice networks. In this approach, the security and reliability features are incorporated in 5G network slicing to address the delivery of the services in the next-generation networks.
Greater security pledges, reduced latency, and increased energy efficiency are now more important than ever due to the Wireless Sensor Networks' (WSNs) explosive growth. Although they work well for many distributed systems, traditional cryptography techniques are slow for mission-critical sensor applications and are still susceptible to new quantum attackers. In order to improve WSN security and performance, this study proposes a unified framework that combines Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with 5G communication capabilities. This expanded work builds on previous simulation studies before and after the third Doctoral Committee evaluation. It includes a refined 5G-enabled architecture, a lightweight QKD model, and extensive simulations that capture energy consumption, bandwidth variation, latency, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), and Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER). The findings show that while QKD maintains robust security even under controlled levels of quantum noise, 5G-assisted WSNs greatly increase bandwidth usage and communication delay. The proposed 5G–QKD WSN consistently delivers decreased latency, stable PDR, and enhanced security without imposing severe energy penalties, according to comparative simulations versus classical LEACH and MULE-based baselines. These results lend credence to the viability of hybrid quantum-enhanced wireless networks for critical infrastructure monitoring, smart environments, and future extensive IoT deployments.