TOWARDS QUANTUM-RESILIENT 6G: STATE-OF-THE-ART IN POST- QUANTUM AUTHENTICATION AND KEY EXCHANGE PROTOCOLS

International Journal of Computer Science (IJCS) Published by SK Research Group of Companies (SKRGC)

Abstract

The transition from 5G to 6G networks promises revolutionary capabilities, including terahertz communication, holographic telepresence, and massive Internet of Everything (IoE) connectivity. However, this hyper-connected ecosystem faces an existential threat from the advent of cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs). Shor’s algorithm renders current public-key standards (RSA, ECC) obsolete, exposing 6G networks to "Store Now, Decrypt Later" (SNDL) attacks. This paper surveys the state-of-the-art in Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) specifically tailored for 6G Authentication and Key Exchange (AKE) protocols. We analyze the integration of NIST-standardized lattice-based algorithms (CRYSTALS-Kyber, Dilithium) into the 6G service-based architecture, evaluate hybrid schemes for transitional security, and review lightweight protocols for resource-constrained 6G IoT devices. Comparative analysis reveals that while lattice-based Key Encapsulation Mechanisms (KEMs) offer acceptable latency for Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), PQC digital signatures introduce significant bandwidth overheads, necessitating novel architectural optimizations in the 6G control plane.

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Keywords

Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), 6G Security, Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA), Lattice-Based Cryptography, Quantum-Resilient Networks, URLLC (UltraReliable Low-Latency Communication).