Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management

Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management

Quantum Key Distribution Protocols for Enhancing Cryptographic Resilience in Next-Generation 5G Network Infrastructures

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Leena Sameer Baddour 1
Haider Hadi Abbas 2
Kozhobekov Kudaiberdi Gaparalievich 3
Mohammed K. H. Al-Dulaimi 4
Hamza Aljebouri 5
1 Al-Turath University, Baghdad 10013, Iraq
2 Al-Mansour University College, Baghdad 10067, Iraq
3 Osh State University, Osh City 723500, Kyrgyzstan
4 Al-Rafidain University College Baghdad 10064, Iraq
5 Madenat Alelem University College, Baghdad 10006, Iraq
10.22034/jipm.2025.728344
Abstract
 
ABSTRACT
Background: Quantum computing has posed a profound threat to the classical cryptographic systems as it is advancing at an exponential rate with the help of quantum algorithms like Shor’s and Grover’s which can easily decipher the Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA) and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) algorithms. Huge requirements for cryptographic frameworks that can withstand quantum hacking have inspired Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), and systems that use both.
Objective: The aim of this article is to review the performance, scalability and integration of quantum-secure cryptographic services, with a practical lens on how they can be used in real-time environments like self-driving cars, industrial IoT, and intelligent health systems. It also aims at establishing the drawback of the current model and directions for further enhancement.
Methods: The study employs simulative experimentation to understand lest exposures to quantum algorithms and rates cryptographic systems on standards such as latency, Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER), computational overhead, scalability, and cost. Comparative assessment furniture integrated analysis of QKD, PQC, and hybrid system by identifying the advantages and disadvantage of each system.
Results: As a result, adopting hybrid systems provided the best or comparable median results with lowest latency in real-time applications of ~45 ms or lower compared to alternative Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) architectures and types of security elements at high scalability. Thus, QKD, while being exceptional in security, has the problem of scalability, while PQC had average results on the given parameters.
Conclusion: Quantum threats are adequately dealt with by hybrid cryptographic systems as this study has also pointed out. It is seen that initiation to future work may someday distribute resources effectively, expedite PQC standardization, and embrace artificially intelligent network frameworks for flexibility and expansiveness across different networks.
Keywords
KEYWORDS: Quantum Cryptography
QKD
PQC
Hybrid Cryptography
Quantum Computing
Post-Quantum Security
Scalability
Quantum Threats
Cryptographic Vulnerabilities
Resource Optimization

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  • Receive Date 13 August 2025