Toward Quantum-Safe 6G: Experimental Evaluation of Post-Quantum Cryptography Techniques

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the practical deployment challenges of NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptography algorithms in 6G networks, focusing on performance, bandwidth, and reliability impacts.

Contribution

It provides an experimental assessment of PQC schemes like Kyber, Dilithium, and Falcon in realistic wireless scenarios, highlighting system-level trade-offs.

Findings

Computational performance of PQC schemes is acceptable.

Ciphertext and signature size expansion affect bandwidth and handshake reliability.

Results emphasize the need for PQC optimization for 6G deployment.

Abstract

6G networks will require quantum-secure cryptography deployed across core infrastructure, edge nodes, resource-constrained IoT devices. Although post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms have been standardized by NIST, their practical deployability in bandwidth and latency limited wireless systems remains unclear. This paper presents a practical evaluation of NIST selected PQC schemes, including ML-KEM (Kyber), ML-DSA (Dilithium), and Falcon. Benchmarks conducted with OpenSSL and the OQS provider on heterogeneous platforms show that while computational performance is acceptable, ciphertext and signature size expansion significantly impact handshake reliability and bandwidth efficiency, particularly at the network edge. The results highlight key system-level trade-offs and motivate the need for PQC optimization and deployment-aware design for future quantum-secure 6G networks.