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International Conference on Circuit, Power and Computing Technologies

A Comprehensive Review of 5G Security Architecture and Quantum-Safe Communication Using Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Algorithms

Neethu Susan Alex, T. Jaya, Reshmi Krishna Prasad

Published Aug 1, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher
DOI
10.1109/iccpct70290.2026.11654962

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The emergence of the Quantum computing technologies is imposing greater threats on the existing cryptographic algorithms that rely heavily on the mathematical problems, creating a growing demand for quantum safe Communication. Even though Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a theoretically proven secure key exchange method against quantum attacks, it also faces several deployment challenges like scalability, cost, and interoperability limitations. A systematic review was conducted to examine the recent advancements in QKD technologies by analyzing the peer reviewed studies Published between 2021 to 2025 and classified according to protocol design, network architecture and deployment readiness. The review analyzed articles for a Comparison of the recent advancements in the field of Twin Field QKD, Continuous Variable QKD, Hybrid classical quantum networks and long-distance secure communication systems. Furthermore, the review also examined the Conjunction of QKD with the emerging security applications of 5G Networks, IOT environments, edge computing, fog Computing and Multimedia security systems. Despite of the significant technological advancements, the deployment of QKD is still under the constraints of scalability, lower key generation rates, cost of deployment, Synchronization issues, stability complexities, interoperability problems and standardization issues. Through a comprehensive evaluation of QKD protocols and network architectures, this study highlights the critical research gaps and provides future directions for the practical deployment of the QKD enabled secure communication networks.
The evolving 5G architecture, moving from proprietary monolithic hardware towards the disaggregated and modular Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN), introduces new, critical interfaces requiring robust security. While IPSec is a prevalent solution for securing IP communications, the advent of quantum computing threatens its traditional cryptographic underpinnings; it may be deprecated in the near future. To address this, we propose a quantum-safe Open RAN framework for securing fronthaul (i.e., Radio Unit-Distributed Unit) and backhaul (i.e., Centralized Unit-5G core) interfaces. Our framework employs a hybrid key exchange scheme, combining post-quantum cryptography (PQC) with quantum keys as cryptographic material, designed for seamless integration with TLS, IKEv2/IPSec, and MACSec standards, and compatible with ETSI QKD 004 and 014 APIs. Furthermore, we present a novel key distribution protocol for Quantum Key Distribution Networks (QKDN). This protocol incorporates encapsulation techniques inspired by onion routing, combined with PQC, to ensure confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, and anonymity. It also leverages post-quantum public key encryption to protect shared secrets from intermediate nodes within the QKDN, mitigating intermediary attacks. We have deployed a proof-of-concept of our proposal, experimentally validating both air-based and fiber-based QKD, primarily using ML-KEM and ML-DSA standards for PQC algorithms.