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

Abstract

Abstract The rapid expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) applications in sectors like smart cities, healthcare, and industrial automation has introduced serious security challenges due to limited device resources and growing threats from quantum computing. Traditional cryptographic techniques such as RSA and AES are increasingly inadequate, particularly against quantum attacks, and face limitations in scalability and efficiency in multi-node environments. To overcome these challenges, this paper proposes a lightweight and quantum-resilient security framework for IoT networks based on Multi-Node Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) integrated with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), termed MNQ-ECC. The proposed architecture enables secure key generation and exchange across multiple nodes and includes four security phases: pre-deployment, registration, login, and authentication. Here, performance evaluation is carried out using Qiskit simulators under varying network conditions and key performance metrics such as key generation rate, entropy, latency, and communication overhead are analysed. The results demonstrate that MNQ-ECC achieves 99.5% resistance to quantum attacks, improves key generation efficiency by 30%, and reduces encryption overhead by 20% compared to standard ECC. These findings confirm the framework’s effectiveness in securing IoT networks with high scalability, low latency, and strong resilience against classical and quantum threats.