Toward Quantum-Safe 6G: Experimental Evaluation of Post-Quantum Cryptography Techniques

Ananya Kudaloor; Adnan Aijaz

Toward Quantum-Safe 6G: Experimental Evaluation of Post-Quantum Cryptography Techniques

Networking and Internet Architecture 2026-05-11 v1

Authors: Ananya Kudaloor , Adnan Aijaz

Abstract

6G networks will require quantum-secure cryptography deployed across core infrastructure, edge nodes, resource-constrained IoT devices. Although post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms have been standardized by NIST, their practical deployability in bandwidth and latency limited wireless systems remains unclear. This paper presents a practical evaluation of NIST selected PQC schemes, including ML-KEM (Kyber), ML-DSA (Dilithium), and Falcon. Benchmarks conducted with OpenSSL and the OQS provider on heterogeneous platforms show that while computational performance is acceptable, ciphertext and signature size expansion significantly impact handshake reliability and bandwidth efficiency, particularly at the network edge. The results highlight key system-level trade-offs and motivate the need for PQC optimization and deployment-aware design for future quantum-secure 6G networks.

Keywords

post-quantum cryptography quantum key distribution quantum computing

Cite

@article{arxiv.2605.06881,
  title  = {Toward Quantum-Safe 6G: Experimental Evaluation of Post-Quantum Cryptography Techniques},
  author = {Ananya Kudaloor and Adnan Aijaz},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2605.06881},
  year   = {2026}
}

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Accepted for publication in the IEEE communications standards magazine

Toward Quantum-Safe 6G: Experimental Evaluation of Post-Quantum Cryptography Techniques

Abstract

Keywords

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