The rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) applications has led to the large-scale deployment of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) that incessantly generate and transmit sensitive data over wireless networks.Although the current mostly used symmetric encryption algorithm for securing such networks is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), the advent of quantum computing threatens the long-term security of AES, as well as the weaknesses inherent to the key generation, distribution, and lifecycle management.This research paper proposes a Quantum Enhanced AES framework for IoT based WSNs which integrates the use of Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) based high entropy key generation, key injection against side channel attacks and dynamic session-based rekeying.Compared with classical AES and two state-of-the-art security frameworks based on quantum computing, i.e., QKDassisted AES scheme and lightweight post-quantum security hybrid AES framework, the proposed scheme increases the entropy of the key by about 20% (from 0.82 to 0.99), and lowers the key exposure risk by more than 60% by using session-based rekeying.Simulation results indicate that the proposed method can achieve up to 8 to10% higher throughput and 22% lower end-to-end delay than post-quantum AES schemes, and also prolongs the network lifetime by almost 15% under realistic IoT-WSN workloads.The framework maintains and does not alter the AES standard compliance and does not make any changes to the AES core, thus it ensures practical applicability.These results show that the proposed approach offers a good quantum resilience with low performance and energy overhead, which is suitable for long-lived and security-critical IoT-WSN deployment.
The rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) applications has led to the large-scale deployment of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) that incessantly generate and transmit sensitive data over wireless networks.Although the current mostly used symmetric encryption algorithm for securing such networks is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), the advent of quantum computing threatens the long-term security of AES, as well as the weaknesses inherent to the key generation, distribution, and lifecycle management.This research paper proposes a Quantum Enhanced AES framework for IoT based WSNs which integrates the use of Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) based high entropy key generation, key injection against side channel attacks and dynamic session-based rekeying.Compared with classical AES and two state-of-the-art security frameworks based on quantum computing, i.e., QKDassisted AES scheme and lightweight post-quantum security hybrid AES framework, the proposed scheme increases the entropy of the key by about 20% (from 0.82 to 0.99), and lowers the key exposure risk by more than 60% by using session-based rekeying.Simulation results indicate that the proposed method can achieve up to 8 to10% higher throughput and 22% lower end-to-end delay than post-quantum AES schemes, and also prolongs the network lifetime by almost 15% under realistic IoT-WSN workloads.The framework maintains and does not alter the AES standard compliance and does not make any changes to the AES core, thus it ensures practical applicability.These results show that the proposed approach offers a good quantum resilience with low performance and energy overhead, which is suitable for long-lived and security-critical IoT-WSN deployment.
Quantum computing poses a significant threat to Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) by undermining traditional cryptographic algorithms such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). This work proposes a quantum-safe architecture for WSNs that integrates post-quantum cryptography (PQC) with lightweight IoT protocols to ensure long-term confidentiality, authenticity, and resilience. The framework leverages ML-KEM for key encapsulation and ML-DSA/SLH-DSA for signatures, and seamlessly integrates with EDHOC, OSCORE, and COSE. A novel Efficient Adaptive Parameter Selection (EAPS) mechanism dynamically adjusts cryptographic strength to balance security, energy consumption, and latency under varying network conditions. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that ciphertext fragmentation (8–27 pieces) results in manageable completion times of 4–10 seconds, while join operations consume only 0.005–0.03 J per cryptographic handshake event, while system-level energy consumption including network overhead is higher (~1.0–1.4 J per join cycle depending on hop count and retransmissions). Battery lifetime projections under steady-state sensing workloads range from approximately 115–280 months for low-duty-cycle operation, whereas realistic deployment conditions with periodic communication yield effective lifetimes of 11.5–24 months. Security analysis confirms robust resistance against downgrade attacks and Harvest-Now-Decrypt-Later (HNDL) threats. Moreover, EAPS reduces risk scores by over 50% compared to fixed schemes with less than 10% additional energy overhead, and batch signature verification improves scalability by increasing throughput from ~1,600 to ~2,800 verifications per second. Overall, the proposed framework demonstrates that WSNs can achieve quantum-resistant security with minimal performance trade-offs, ensuring readiness for the post-quantum era.
The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has introduced unprecedented cybersecurity challenges, as traditional cryptographic methods struggle to provide both efficiency and quantum resistance in resource-constrained environments. This research introduces Adaptive Quantum Cryptography (AQC), a novel security framework that integrates Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs), and AI-driven dynamic adaptation to safeguard IoT networks against evolving cyber threats. Unlike classical encryption techniques such as RSA and ECC, which are vulnerable to quantum attacks, AQC leverages quantum mechanical principles—such as superposition, entanglement, and the no-cloning theorem—to ensure provably secure key exchange and data encryption. The proposed AQC system dynamically adjusts cryptographic protocols based on real-time network conditions, computational resources, and threat intelligence, optimizing security without imposing excessive overhead. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that AQC achieves a 70% improvement in key exchange efficiency, a 50% reduction in computational load, and a 95% resilience rate against quantum attacks compared to conventional encryption methods. Additionally, the integration of QRNGs enhances cryptographic key entropy, while AI-driven anomaly detection enables proactive threat mitigation. This framework is particularly suited for next-generation IoT applications, including smart grids, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation, where security, scalability, and energy efficiency are critical. By combining quantum-resistant algorithms with adaptive security mechanisms, AQC provides forward secrecy, resistance to quantum adversaries, and robust authentication, ensuring long-term protection for IoT ecosystems in the post-quantum era. The findings underscore AQC’s potential as a foundational security architecture for future quantum-safe IoT networks.
The rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices presents critical cybersecurity challenges, as traditional cryptographic methods often fail to provide both robust security and operational efficiency in resource-constrained environments. This paper introduces Adaptive Quantum Cryptography (AQC), a novel framework designed to secure next-generation IoT networks against evolving classical and quantum-computing threats. The AQC framework synergistically integrates Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for unbreakable key exchange, Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) for high-entropy key generation, and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) for quantum-resistant data encryption. A key feature of the system is its dynamic adaptation mechanism, which leverages artificial intelligence to intelligently select and adjust cryptographic protocols in real-time based on current network conditions, device computational capabilities, and identified threat levels. This ensures optimal security without imposing excessive overhead on IoT devices. Our comprehensive experimental evaluation demonstrates that the AQC framework significantly outperforms classical techniques, achieving a 70% improvement in key exchange efficiency, a 50% reduction in computational load, and a 95% resilience rate against quantum-based attacks. By providing forward secrecy and robust authentication, the proposed AQC framework offers a scalable, energy-efficient, and future-proof security solution, paving the way for resilient and trustworthy IoT ecosystems in the post-quantum era.
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are promoting the spread of the Internet for devices in all areas of life, which makes it is a promising technology in the future. In the coming days, as attack technologies become more improved, security will have an important role in WSN. Currently, quantum computers pose a significant risk to current encryption technologies that work in tandem with intrusion detection systems because it is difficult to implement quantum properties on sensors due to the resource limitations. In this paper, quantum computing is used to develop a future-proof, robust, lightweight and resource-conscious approach to sensor networks. Great emphasis is placed on the concepts of using the BB84 protocol with the AES algorithm in WSN security. The results of analysis indicated a high level of security between the data by depending on the generation of secure keys, and reached an accuracy rate of about (80-95) % based on using NIST statistical. The efficiency of the work increased to 0.704 after using the Quantum Bit Error Rate equation, eventually increasing the network performance. This results in the reduction of the overall amount of energy, and the time required for performing the key exchange in the encryption and decryption processes decreased.
The resource limitations of IoT nodes and the vulnerability of wireless channels to cyberattacks and snooping, the quick spread of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in wireless surroundings has created serious challenges to data security and privacy. The development of quantum computing, which can meritoriously crack classical encryption, is posing a growing threat to recognized cryptographic techniques like RSA and ECC. By applying concepts from quantum mechanics like predicament cloning, quantum cryptography, in particular Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), provides tentatively unbreakable security. In order to integrate lightweight quantum key exchange with traditional IoT communication protocols, this paper proposes a comprehensive Quantum Cryptography Framework (QCF) exactly designed for Wireless IoT networks. The framework is made to preserve energy efficiency while certifying forward secrecy, confidentiality, integrity, and authentication. A performance evaluation in terms of latency, throughput, and resistance to quantum attacks supports our discussion of the architecture, working mechanism, and implementation deliberations. The findings show that, when compared to traditional encryption methods, the suggested QCF greatly improves the security of wireless IoT systems, certifying resilience against oppositional models of the future.
The coupling of quantum-metering methods with cryptographic key exchanges spells out a new security paradigm model to safeguard Internet of Things (IoT) networks against rapidly changing cyberspace threats. The given assessment explains a quantum-advanced scenario that is operationally feasible and serves as a platform for quantum key distribution (QKD) along with classical post-quantum algorithms to deliver end-to-end confidentiality, integrity, and authentication features to a wide range of IoT devices. The model, by the virtue of quantum entanglement and photon polarization used in the creation of tamper-evident communication links, is invulnerable to adversarial-aided eavesdropping and computational assault methods and further offers a hybrid encryption protocol that has been demonstrated to alleviate key generation and exchange latency trade-offs - simultaneously maintaining scalability and effectiveness in resource-constrained IoT node environments. The key compromise probability is significantly lowered in the experimental results, along with the keys' entropy levels, which were generated in the pure QKD space as opposed to classicalbased RSA and ECC methods. Also, the framework investigates lightweight quantum-safe authentication techniques that can be used to establish trust at the device level. The output points to the enhanced resistance to quantum and classical attackers that can make the solutions work in real-time application IoT environments such as smart healthcare, autonomous systems, and industrial automation. Overall, the quantum-enriched model of cryptographic key exchange is next-gen IoT ecosystem to be implemented subsequently.