Cybersecurity challenges associated with the internet of things in a post-quantum world

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging networking paradigm connecting billions of devices securely to the Internet. Another emerging paradigm is quantum computing which - while opening new compute opportunities - was shown to jeopardise most cybersecurity protocols. In this study, we discuss techniques able to provide security in a post-quantum IoT. Specifically, we examine how the third-generation partnership project (3GPP) IoT security solutions fair in a post-quantum environment. Also, we analyse the security features of fifth-generation (5G) networks, propose improvements and discuss the manner in which a quantum computer can compromise security. Our results prove the existence of multiple vulnerabilities in the current IoT architecture and implementations. With advances in quantum computing having rendered the current security algorithms unsafe, more advanced techniques should be established to mitigate such risks. To this end, we present promising lattice-driven cryptographic techniques which we prove quantum resistance.