QKD for IoT Security (2026) | Research, Standards, Quantum-Safe Hardware & Vendors

Research Papers on QKD for IoT

5 entries

Academic work applying QKD to IoT, smart grids and connected infrastructure.

01Security in IoT-Based Smart Grid Through QKD (Springer)Kaur and Kalra propose a QKD-based mutual authentication scheme for smart grid users. 02Using QKD and ECC for Secure Inter-Device Authentication (SSRN)Lohachab and Karambir present a model combining QKD and elliptic-curve cryptography for IoT. 03Experimental QKD for Energy-Efficient Software-Defined IoT (Bristol)Mavromatis et al. demonstrate QKD paired with software-defined IoT networks. 04Large Scale Quantum Key Distribution: Challenges and Solutions (arXiv)Challenges in scaling QKD networks beyond point-to-point links. 05QKD with Flawed and Leaky Sources (npj Quantum Information)Security analysis relevant to practical, imperfect QKD hardware.

IoT Security Foundations & Standards

6 entries

Baseline IoT security guidance and lightweight cryptography for constrained devices.

06NIST Cybersecurity for IoT ProgramNIST guidance and research on securing IoT devices. 07NISTIR 8259 – IoT Device CybersecurityFoundational cybersecurity activities for IoT device manufacturers. 08NIST Lightweight CryptographyNIST project that standardised lightweight algorithms for constrained devices. 09SP 800-232 – Ascon-Based Lightweight CryptographyNIST standard for Ascon-based authenticated encryption and hashing. 10AsconDesign site for the lightweight cipher family chosen by NIST. 11ETSI Cybersecurity, Privacy and UsersETSI standards work including consumer IoT security.

Quantum-Safe Alternatives for Constrained Devices

8 entries

Post-quantum and hardware approaches that suit small devices.

12NIST Post-Quantum CryptographyNIST's standardisation of quantum-resistant algorithms that run on ordinary hardware. 13Open Quantum SafeOpen-source project for prototyping quantum-resistant cryptography, including embedded targets. 14PQShieldUK vendor of PQC IP for chips and embedded devices. 15InfineonSemiconductor maker with post-quantum secure elements. 16SEALSQSecure semiconductors with post-quantum hardware for IoT. 17Crypto QuantiqueQuantum-driven hardware root of trust that generates keys for connected devices. 18QusideQRNG chips and entropy sources for secure connected devices. 19ANU Quantum Random NumbersFree public quantum random number service.

QKD Vendors & Networks

8 entries

Companies and projects delivering QKD links, typically between gateways and data centres.

20ID QuantiqueSwiss vendor of QKD systems and quantum-safe security infrastructure. 21Toshiba QKDToshiba's QKD systems and key management. 22QNu LabsIndian quantum-safe security vendor with QKD and QRNG. 23Quantum Bridge TechnologiesDigital substitution key exchange as a QKD alternative. 24BT Quantum-Secure NetworksBT's work on quantum-secured networks in the UK. 25Quantum-Secured Network 'Virtually Un-Hackable' (Network World)Report on a UK QKD-secured fibre link. 26EuroQCIEU initiative for a secure quantum communication infrastructure. 27QKD Companies directoryDirectory of QKD vendors on this site.

Agencies & Programmes

6 entries

Government guidance and national programmes.

28UK NCSC – Quantum Security TechnologiesUK agency's view on QKD and other quantum security technologies. 29CISA – Post-Quantum Cryptography InitiativeUS guidance on migrating to post-quantum cryptography. 30National Quantum Mission (India)India's mission on quantum computing, communication and sensing. 31ETSI – Quantum Key DistributionETSI standards on QKD. 32Indian Institute of ScienceIndian research institute with quantum technology groups. 33IIT MadrasIndian institute with quantum research activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use QKD for IoT?

QKD can distribute keys whose secrecy rests on physics rather than computational hardness, so it protects long-lived keys against future quantum attacks.

Can small IoT devices run QKD?

Rarely. QKD needs photon sources and detectors, so it is usually used between gateways, base stations and data centres, with lightweight or post-quantum cryptography on the devices themselves.

What do constrained devices use instead?

NIST standardised Ascon for lightweight encryption, and post-quantum algorithms such as ML-KEM can run on microcontrollers, often with hardware acceleration and a trusted random source.

Where does QKD fit in a smart grid?

In substation-to-control-centre links and critical backbone connections, where fibre is available and the keys protect long-lived infrastructure.

Where are the vendors?

See the QKD Companies directory and the PQC Providers page for vendors, and the QKD page for background.