QERS: Quantum Encryption Resilience Score for Post-Quantum Cryptography in Computer, IoT, and IIoT Systems

TL;DR

QERS introduces a comprehensive scoring framework that evaluates the readiness of post-quantum cryptography schemes for diverse IoT and IIoT systems by integrating performance, security, and system constraints.

Contribution

It presents a novel, holistic measurement framework combining metrics, decision analysis, and machine learning to assess PQC suitability across heterogeneous environments.

Findings

Enables comparative evaluation of post-quantum schemes under resource constraints

Supports informed security design and migration planning

Provides interpretable resilience scores for diverse devices

Abstract

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is becoming essential for securing Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT) systems against quantum-enabled adversaries. However, existing evaluation approaches primarily focus on isolated performance metrics, offering limited support for holistic security and deployment decisions. This paper introduces QERS (Quantum Encryption Resilience Score), a universal measurement framework that integrates cryptographic performance, system constraints, and multi-criteria decision analysis to assess PQC readiness in computer, IoT, and IIoT environments. QERS combines normalized metrics, weighted aggregation, and machine learning-assisted analysis to produce interpretable resilience scores across heterogeneous devices and communication protocols. Experimental results demonstrate how the framework enables comparative evaluation of post-quantum schemes under realistic resource constraints, supporting informed security design and migration planning. This work is presented as a preprint, with extended statistical validation planned as part of ongoing graduate research.