Quantum secure authentication and key agreement protocols for IoT-enabled applications: A comprehensive survey and open challenges

This study provides an in-depth survey of quantum secure authentication and key agreement protocols, investigating the dynamic landscape of cryptographic techniques within the realm of quantum computing. With the potential threat posed by quantum computing advancements to classical cryptographic protocols, the exploration of secure authentication and key agreement in the quantum era becomes imperative for safeguarding communication systems. The research scrutinizes evolving methodologies and innovations designed to enhance the security of authentication processes and key agreements in the context of quantum computing. A comprehensive examination of existing protocols is conducted, elucidating their strengths, limitations, and potential vulnerabilities. The research includes a comparative assessment of security features and computational burdens associated with various quantum secure authentication and key agreement protocols. The survey concludes by underscoring the urgent need for further research in the development of secure and efficient quantum cloud computing environments, as well as lightweight post-quantum cryptographic primitives, to ensure the viability of quantum secure authentication protocols on a universal scale. This comprehensive overview serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the rapidly evolving field of quantum secure communication. • We present the evolution of post-quantum cryptography, it's impact on classical cryptography, the migration from classical cryptography to post-quantum cryptography, and security attacks and services. • A taxonomy and comprehensive comparison study of quantum-resistant authentication and key agreement protocols IoT enabled applications is presented. • Furthermore, we evaluate suitable protocols in terms of computation overhead and security features. Lastly, some potential future directions and challenges linked to quantum-resistant authentication and key agreement protocols are discussed.