Advanced authentication of IoT sensor network for industrial safety

As industries rapidly advance towards automation and intelligence, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) plays a pivotal role in enhancing factory efficiency and production management. However, the advent of quantum computing introduces significant security challenges, particularly for data transmission and privacy protection, as its immense computational power can compromise the current cryptographic theories' safeguards. We introduce a novel lattice-based cryptographic authentication and key management scheme specifically designed for the IIoT within Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), focusing on establishing a secure industrial communication system capable of withstanding quantum threats. The proposed scheme utilizes Crystals-Kyber technology and is built around the Learning With Errors (LWE) problem, providing a robust foundation for security against both traditional and quantum threats. It features innovative methods to safeguard against password guessing, stolen verifier, and replay attacks, enhancing data confidentiality and system integrity. By integrating advanced cryptographic techniques resistant to quantum decryption, this research ensures the secure management and utilization of critical production data, supporting the ongoing transformation towards more intelligent manufacturing processes and sustaining global competitiveness for industries.