Quantum-resilient blockchain-enabled secure communication framework for connected autonomous vehicles using post-quantum cryptography

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) are pivotal to the evolution of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), offering enhanced connectivity and automation. However, the emergence of quantum computing poses significant security challenges to existing cryptographic protocols. This study addresses these challenges by proposing a hybrid security approach that combines Kyber Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) with an Adaptive Grouping Score-based Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (AGS-PBFT) blockchain mechanism. The key contribution of this study is the integration of lattice-based Kyber PQC, which is resistant to quantum attacks, with a dynamically adaptive AGS-PBFT blockchain. This integration aims to secure vehicular communications by ensuring data integrity, authenticity, and confidentiality while enhancing the scalability and efficiency of consensus processes in dynamic CAVs environments.

The proposed hybrid approach has been validated through extensive simulations using the OMNET++ and SUMO simulators. The simulation results demonstrate that our approach outperforms existing methods, achieving lower latency, reduced computation costs, higher throughput, and enhanced security levels. Overall, the findings and methodologies presented in the paper can serve as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners aiming to enhance the security and efficiency of CAVs in the era of quantum computing.