MQTT Across a Raspberry Pi 5 IoT Network Utilizing Quantum-resistant Signature Algorithms

TL;DR

This paper explores implementing quantum-resistant digital signatures in MQTT IoT networks on Raspberry Pi devices, assessing performance and security trade-offs for post-quantum cryptography in resource-limited environments.

Contribution

It demonstrates the integration of the FALCON post-quantum signature scheme into MQTT on Raspberry Pi, highlighting practical deployment considerations.

Findings

FALCON signatures are feasible on Raspberry Pi hardware.

Post-quantum signatures introduce measurable latency.

The system maintains message integrity with PQC algorithms.

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has introduced millions of resource-constrained devices into critical infrastructures, consumer environments, and industrial systems. These devices rely on lightweight communication protocols such as MQTT to support low-power, intermittent, and bandwidth-limited operation. However, common TLS algorithms used to secure MQTT communications are vulnerable to quantum attacks made feasible by Shor's algorithm. As a result, IoT infrastructures must evaluate and adopt post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) methods capable of providing long-term resilience. This report investigates the implementation of PQC algorithms within an MQTT-based IoT networks using three Raspberry Pis. Specifically, it integrates the FALCON digital signature scheme, one of NIST's selected post-quantum signature algorithms, to maintain message authenticity and integrity across resource-constrained MQTT clients and brokers. By measuring system performance, the research characterizes the practical trade-offs of deploying lattice-based PQC on lightweight hardware.