Transportation Cyber-Physical Systems (T-CPS) integrate transportation information with physical elements, enabling advanced features such as real-time vehicle tracking, collision avoidance, and intelligent traffic management. However, this also increases the need for improved security protocols to safeguard the critical identity-based data they transmit through vulnerable wireless networks, such as Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and live Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates. These T-CPS, traditionally protected by classical encryption algorithms, are now vulnerable due to the rise in quantum computing. Existing solutions are hindered by their complex security features and high computational overhead. To address these challenges, we propose Quantum Key Agreement and Signature Verification (QKASV), a post-quantum protocol that integrates Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Signatures for T-CPS. QKASV uses identity-tied QKD-based keys for session creation, followed by either individual or group quantum signatures. Signatures are created by applying basic quantum gates sequentially rather than lattice-based or certificate-based schemes. Hence, this speeds up the overall key generation, distribution, and management process without compromising the enhanced security. Formal security analysis using standard security models and the Scyther cryptographic protocol verification tool proves that QKASV meets standard security requirements. Further, comparison with similar schemes shows that QKASV operates on the least communication rounds required per signature, and reduces the computational overhead by at least 12%. Therefore, QKASV offers a better security solution compared to existing schemes.
Transportation Cyber-Physical Systems (T-CPS) integrate transportation information with physical elements, enabling advanced features such as real-time vehicle tracking, collision avoidance, and intelligent traffic management. However, this also increases the need for improved security protocols to safeguard the critical identity-based data they transmit through vulnerable wireless networks, such as Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and live Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates. These T-CPS, traditionally protected by classical encryption algorithms, are now vulnerable due to the rise in quantum computing. Existing solutions are hindered by their complex security features and high computational overhead. To address these challenges, we propose Quantum Key Agreement and Signature Verification (QKASV), a post-quantum protocol that integrates Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Signatures for T-CPS. QKASV uses identity-tied QKD-based keys for session creation, followed by either individual or group quantum signatures. Signatures are created by applying basic quantum gates sequentially rather than lattice-based or certificate-based schemes. Hence, this speeds up the overall key generation, distribution, and management process without compromising the enhanced security. Formal security analysis using standard security models and the Scyther cryptographic protocol verification tool proves that QKASV meets standard security requirements. Further, comparison with similar schemes shows that QKASV operates on the least communication rounds required per signature, and reduces the computational overhead by at least 12%. Therefore, QKASV offers a better security solution compared to existing schemes.
Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are a technological marvel forming our modern world's backbone. These systems, which integrate physical processes, embedded systems, networking infrastructure, IoT, communication protocols, intelligent algorithms, and other application-specific resources, mark the convergence of computing with control and communication. They unify physical and cyber systems, paving the way for the next generation of critical systems such as autonomous transportation, smart grids, industrial IoT, and more. The next-generation CPS, characterized by their integration of physical processes, embedded systems, networking infrastructure, IoT, communication protocols, and intelligent algorithms, are set to revolutionize our world. These systems will incorporate AI and ML-based algorithms for decision-making and optimization. At the same time, edge and fog computing models will be integrated into the infrastructure to reduce data transmission latencies. New-generation networks like 5G and above will provide high-speed connectivity and seamless integration of devices and components. Digital twins will become a standard tool for simulating new scenarios, predictive maintenance, and more. As security threats for cyber-physical systems evolve alarmingly, robust protection becomes increasingly crucial. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a promising solution in this context. With their ability to provide secure cryptographic key exchanges in the operating environments of cyber-physical systems, QKD protocols are gaining traction as the industry shifts towards quantum computing.
The rise of quantum computing threatens traditional cryptographic algorithms that secure Transportation Cyber-Physical Systems (TCPS). Shor's algorithm poses a significant threat to RSA and ECC, while Grover's algorithm reduces the security of symmetric encryption schemes, such as AES. The objective of this paper is to underscore the urgency of transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to mitigate these risks in TCPS by analyzing the vulnerabilities of traditional cryptographic schemes and the applicability of standardized PQC schemes in TCPS. We analyzed vulnerabilities in traditional cryptography against quantum attacks and reviewed the applicability of NIST-standardized PQC schemes, including CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, and SPHINCS+, in TCPS. We conducted a case study to analyze the vulnerabilities of a TCPS application from the Architecture Reference for Cooperative and Intelligent Transportation (ARC-IT) service package, i.e., Electronic Toll Collection, leveraging the Microsoft Threat Modeling tool. This case study highlights the cryptographic vulnerabilities of a TCPS application and presents how PQC can effectively counter these threats. Additionally, we evaluated CRYSTALS-Kyber's performance across wired and wireless TCPS data communication scenarios. While CRYSTALS-Kyber proves effective in securing TCPS applications over high-bandwidth, low-latency Ethernet networks, our analysis highlights challenges in meeting the stringent latency requirements of safety-critical wireless applications within TCPS. Future research should focus on developing lightweight PQC solutions and hybrid schemes that integrate traditional and PQC algorithms, to enhance compatibility, scalability, and real-time performance, ensuring robust protection against emerging quantum threats in TCPS.
Transportation Cyber-Physical Systems (TCPS) integrate physical elements, such as transportation infrastructure and vehicles, with cyber elements via advanced communication technologies, allowing them to interact seamlessly. This integration enhances the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of transportation systems. TCPS rely heavily on cryptographic security to protect sensitive information transmitted between vehicles, transportation infrastructure, and other entities within the transportation ecosystem, ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and authenticity. Traditional cryptographic methods have been employed to secure TCPS communications, but the advent of quantum computing presents a significant threat to these existing security measures. Therefore, integrating Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) into TCPS is essential to maintain secure and resilient communications. While PQC offers a promising approach to developing cryptographic algorithms resistant to quantum attacks, artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance PQC by optimizing algorithm selection, resource allocation, and adapting to evolving threats in real-time. AI-driven PQC approaches can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of PQC implementations, ensuring robust security without compromising system performance. This chapter introduces TCPS communication protocols, discusses the vulnerabilities of corresponding communications to cyber-attacks, and explores the limitations of existing cryptographic methods in the quantum era. By examining how AI can strengthen PQC solutions, the chapter presents cyber-resilient communication strategies for TCPS.
Digital twins-enabled transportation cyber-physical systems are employed in the transportation sector to enhance environmental quality, mobility, and safety. They are digital representations of transportation networks, enable the simulation of these networks’ behavior under various conditions. They can be employed in various transportation sectors, including forecasting traffic congestion, facilitate the optimization of flow and safety, enhance the efficiency of public transportation, improve the efficiency of freight transportation by offering support in this process, facilitates the consideration of future multimodal infrastructure development requirements, furnish drivers with up-to-date information about weather alerts, road closures, and traffic situations in real time, assess numerous aspects like, impacts of various mobility operators, transport users, and environmental conditions. However, the real-time data synchronization in digital twins-enabled transportation cyber-physical systems is accomplished using an open communication channel. Regrettably, the utilization of virtual-reality synthesizing security threats in the network necessitates the implementation of stringent privacy and security procedures, including authentication, encryption, and signature approaches. This study proposes a quantum-key-distribution (QKD)-based authentication protocol for secure communication of digital twins-enabled transportation cyber-physical systems. The integrated quantum in the system ensures the compactness and verifiability of data. The protocol’s security is examined using the Scyhter tool and is verified to be secure by informal security analysis. The proposed scheme achieves its efficiency over current solutions. Moreover, the latest technology and techniques are used to examine the operational capabilities and security features.
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication is a critical enabler of autonomous driving, supporting real-time information exchange among vehicles, roadside infrastructure, pedestrians, and cloud services. However, the security of current V2X systems largely relies on classical cryptographic mechanisms, which are expected to become vulnerable in the presence of large-scale quantum computers. Given the long operational lifespan and stringent safety requirements of autonomous vehicular networks, the transition toward quantum-resistant authentication and key management mechanisms has become increasingly important. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of post-quantum Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) protocols for secure V2X communications. The survey systematically reviews V2X communication architectures, security and privacy requirements, existing authentication frameworks, and emerging post-quantum cryptographic approaches. Representative AKA schemes and NIST-standardized post-quantum algorithms are comparatively analyzed in terms of security strength, computational complexity, communication overhead, storage requirements, scalability, and deployment suitability for resource-constrained vehicular environments. The survey further examines practical implementation challenges, including latency constraints, bandwidth limitations, signature size expansion, memory consumption, and hardware resource requirements. The analysis reveals that achieving quantum-resistant security in V2X networks requires balancing strong cryptographic protection with the stringent performance demands of safety-critical vehicular applications. While recent post-quantum approaches offer promising security guarantees against quantum adversaries, their practical deployment remains constrained by computational and communication overhead. Finally, this survey identifies key research gaps and outlines future directions for the development of lightweight, scalable, and quantum-resilient AKA frameworks capable of supporting next-generation autonomous transportation systems. The findings provide researchers and practitioners with a structured understanding of the opportunities, limitations, and challenges associated with securing future V2X communications in the quantum era.
Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) play a vital role in modern smart environments like smart grids, healthcare systems, industrial automation, and intelligent transport systems. Ensuring secure and efficient communication in CPS is challenging due to rising cyber threats and data privacy issues. Traditional cryptographic techniques are becoming insufficient, especially with the growing threat of quantum computing. This research proposes a security framework for improving throughput efficiency of cyber-physical systems communications using quantum cryptography by implementing the B92 Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol. The B92 protocol utilizes only two non-orthogonal quantum vectors for secure key generation and distribution, reducing resource consumption and communication overhead. The proposed framework is simulated using MATLAB to model CPS secure communication and evaluate performance metrics such as throughput efficiency, key production rate, quantum bit error rate (QBER), and end-to-end latency. The simulation results show that the B92-based quantum cryptography approach significantly improves throughput efficiency by minimizing key negotiation time while maintaining robust security. This study highlights the effectiveness of integrating quantum cryptography in CPS for building scalable, future-proof, and secure communication systems, ensuring data integrity and privacy against emerging quantum computing threats.