Quantum secured blockchain framework for enhancing post quantum data security
Abstract Quantum computing is an evolution of classical computing, capable of solving problems that are competitive enough to break the existing cryptographic primitives upon which current blockchain systems are based. Popular schemes like RSA, ECDSA, and SHA-256 can be compromised by quantum algori...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16315-8 |
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| author | Nalavala Ramanjaneya Reddy Supriya Suryadevara K. Guru Raghavendra Reddy Ramisetty Umamaheswari Ramakrishna Guttula Rajitha Kotoju |
| author_facet | Nalavala Ramanjaneya Reddy Supriya Suryadevara K. Guru Raghavendra Reddy Ramisetty Umamaheswari Ramakrishna Guttula Rajitha Kotoju |
| author_sort | Nalavala Ramanjaneya Reddy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Quantum computing is an evolution of classical computing, capable of solving problems that are competitive enough to break the existing cryptographic primitives upon which current blockchain systems are based. Popular schemes like RSA, ECDSA, and SHA-256 can be compromised by quantum algorithms (Shor’s and Grover’s), raising questions about the security and trustworthiness of blockchain-based applications in finance, healthcare, and supply chains. Many current approaches focus on isolated aspects of the blockchain, such as cryptographic primitives or key exchange, without a comprehensive strategy that can guarantee end-to-end security in the face of a quantum threat. Finally, traditional consensus mechanisms such as Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake are vulnerable to Sybil attacks, centralization, and leader-selection bias. When the adversary has access to a quantum computer, these issues become significantly worse. In this paper, we present QuantumShield-BC, a modular blockchain framework incorporating post-quantum cryptographic signatures, quantum key distribution (QKD), and a novel Quantum Byzantine Fault Tolerance (Q-BFT) consensus mechanism driven by quantum random number generation (QRNG) to address these challenges. QKD: The system supports tamper-proof key exchange, quantum-resilient consensus among validator nodes, and secure transaction signing. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that QuantumShield-BC achieves low consensus latency and high throughput, while providing perfect security against simulated attacks from Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms. The proposed framework eradicates the Sybil attack effectiveness up to 0%, eliminates replay and MITM vulnerabilities, and achieves an average throughput of over 7,000 transactions per second with 100 validators, orders of magnitude better than classical blockchain systems. The importance of each quantum part to the system’s robustness is also demonstrated using an ablation study. With its unique ability to provide a post-quantum framework for high-assurance, general-purpose, scalable, and interoperable blockchain networks resistant to quantum-inspired attacks or quantum retrieval, QuantumShield-BC is practical for deployment in critical infrastructure and digital trust ecosystems where performance and a future-proof foundation are essential. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5e31f4b308844b82af31fd7e8c3bcdb9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-5e31f4b308844b82af31fd7e8c3bcdb92025-08-24T11:23:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115112910.1038/s41598-025-16315-8Quantum secured blockchain framework for enhancing post quantum data securityNalavala Ramanjaneya Reddy0Supriya Suryadevara1K. Guru Raghavendra Reddy2Ramisetty Umamaheswari3Ramakrishna Guttula4Rajitha Kotoju5Department of CSE, RGM College of Engineering and Technology (Autonomous)DW Matrix IncDepartment of CSE, Jayaprakash Narayan College of EngineeringElectronics and Communication Engineering, Vignan’s Institute of Information TechnologyDepartment: Electronics and Communication Engineering, Aditya UniversityDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology, (MGIT)Abstract Quantum computing is an evolution of classical computing, capable of solving problems that are competitive enough to break the existing cryptographic primitives upon which current blockchain systems are based. Popular schemes like RSA, ECDSA, and SHA-256 can be compromised by quantum algorithms (Shor’s and Grover’s), raising questions about the security and trustworthiness of blockchain-based applications in finance, healthcare, and supply chains. Many current approaches focus on isolated aspects of the blockchain, such as cryptographic primitives or key exchange, without a comprehensive strategy that can guarantee end-to-end security in the face of a quantum threat. Finally, traditional consensus mechanisms such as Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake are vulnerable to Sybil attacks, centralization, and leader-selection bias. When the adversary has access to a quantum computer, these issues become significantly worse. In this paper, we present QuantumShield-BC, a modular blockchain framework incorporating post-quantum cryptographic signatures, quantum key distribution (QKD), and a novel Quantum Byzantine Fault Tolerance (Q-BFT) consensus mechanism driven by quantum random number generation (QRNG) to address these challenges. QKD: The system supports tamper-proof key exchange, quantum-resilient consensus among validator nodes, and secure transaction signing. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that QuantumShield-BC achieves low consensus latency and high throughput, while providing perfect security against simulated attacks from Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms. The proposed framework eradicates the Sybil attack effectiveness up to 0%, eliminates replay and MITM vulnerabilities, and achieves an average throughput of over 7,000 transactions per second with 100 validators, orders of magnitude better than classical blockchain systems. The importance of each quantum part to the system’s robustness is also demonstrated using an ablation study. With its unique ability to provide a post-quantum framework for high-assurance, general-purpose, scalable, and interoperable blockchain networks resistant to quantum-inspired attacks or quantum retrieval, QuantumShield-BC is practical for deployment in critical infrastructure and digital trust ecosystems where performance and a future-proof foundation are essential.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16315-8Post-quantum cryptographyQuantum key distributionQuantum blockchainByzantine fault toleranceBlockchain security |
| spellingShingle | Nalavala Ramanjaneya Reddy Supriya Suryadevara K. Guru Raghavendra Reddy Ramisetty Umamaheswari Ramakrishna Guttula Rajitha Kotoju Quantum secured blockchain framework for enhancing post quantum data security Scientific Reports Post-quantum cryptography Quantum key distribution Quantum blockchain Byzantine fault tolerance Blockchain security |
| title | Quantum secured blockchain framework for enhancing post quantum data security |
| title_full | Quantum secured blockchain framework for enhancing post quantum data security |
| title_fullStr | Quantum secured blockchain framework for enhancing post quantum data security |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quantum secured blockchain framework for enhancing post quantum data security |
| title_short | Quantum secured blockchain framework for enhancing post quantum data security |
| title_sort | quantum secured blockchain framework for enhancing post quantum data security |
| topic | Post-quantum cryptography Quantum key distribution Quantum blockchain Byzantine fault tolerance Blockchain security |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16315-8 |
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