Title: A lightweight security scheme to defend against quantum attack in IoT-based energy internet

Authors: Chahrazed Benrebbouh; Houssem Mansouri; Sarra Cherbal; Al-Sakib Khan Pathan

Addresses: LRSD Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Setif, 19000, Algeria ' LRSD Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Setif, 19000, Algeria ' LRSD Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, University Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, Setif, 19000, Algeria ' Department of Computer Science and Engineering, United International University, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh

Abstract: The internet of things (IoT)-based energy internet (EI) is an emerging technology that enables innovative and distributed energy networks. However, as merging technologies often create complex structures, securing IoT-based EI against cyber-attacks becomes challenging. While existing solutions can protect this environment against well-known attacks, only a few works have addressed the issue of quantum attacks. To address this issue, this paper proposes a mechanism to defend against quantum computer attacks in IoT-based EI using the Goldreich-Goldwasser-Halev (GGH) cryptosystem and quantum key distribution. These techniques offer the best security features and contribute to secure authentication, eavesdropping detection, and resistance to the most well-known attacks. Our scheme's evaluation using the AVISPA tool demonstrates its lightweight nature with regard to the security properties it guarantees. Our contribution is crucial for ensuring secure IoT-based EI, as it protects against quantum computer attacks.

Keywords: internet of things; IoT; energy internet; EI; security; quantum computer attacks; quantum key distribution; QKD; quantum-resistant algorithms; authentication; eavesdropping detection; AVISPA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSNET.2023.133813

International Journal of Sensor Networks, 2023 Vol.43 No.1, pp.13 - 26

Received: 13 May 2023
Accepted: 10 Jul 2023
Published online: 03 Oct 2023 *

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