A hybrid multi-node QKD-ECC architecture for securing IoT networks

Area of Science:

• Cybersecurity
• Quantum Computing
• Network Security

Background:

• Internet of Things (IoT) expansion presents significant security challenges.
• Limited device resources and quantum computing threats necessitate advanced cryptographic solutions.
• Traditional methods like RSA and AES are insufficient for quantum-era IoT security.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a lightweight and quantum-resilient security framework for IoT networks.
• To integrate Multi-Node Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC).
• To enhance security against classical and quantum threats in multi-node IoT environments.

Main Methods:

• Developed the Multi-Node Quantum Key Distribution with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (MNQ-ECC) framework.
• Implemented a four-phase security architecture: pre-deployment, registration, login, and authentication.
• Conducted performance evaluations using Qiskit simulators under diverse network conditions.

Main Results:

• MNQ-ECC demonstrated 99.5% resistance to quantum attacks.
• Achieved a 30% improvement in key generation efficiency compared to standard ECC.
• Reduced encryption overhead by 20% while maintaining low latency and high scalability.

Conclusions:

• The MNQ-ECC framework effectively secures IoT networks against evolving cyber threats.
• It offers a scalable, low-latency, and quantum-resilient solution for modern IoT applications.
• The proposed framework addresses the limitations of traditional cryptography in the face of quantum computing.