A comparative analysis of post-quantum cryptographic schemes over discrete algebraic structures for enhanced information security in large-scale networks
Suhail Javed Quraishisuhailjaved.sca@mriu.edu.inDepartment of Computer ApplicationsManav Rachna International Institute of Research and StudiesFaridabad, Haryana, 121004, IndiaView full profile → , *Dharm RajCorresponding authordharmraj4u@gmail.comDepartment of Computer Science & EngineeringSharda School of Computing Science & EngineeringSharda UniversityNoida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, IndiaView full profile → , Danish Atherdanishather@gmail.comDepartment of Artificial IntelligenceTashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad Al-KhwarizmiTashkent, 100084, UzbekistanView full profile → , Ajay Kumar Guptaajayguptagorakhpur@gmail.comDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringGreater Noida Institute of TechnologyNoida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, IndiaView full profile → , Sonia Setiasetiasonia53@gmail.comDepartment of Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningSchool of Artificial IntelligenceGalgotias UniversityGreater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 203201, IndiaView full profile → , Sonal Pathaksonal.sca@mriu.edu.inDepartment of Computer ApplicationsManav Rachna International Institute of Research and StudiesFaridabad, Haryana, 121004, IndiaView full profile →
* Corresponding author · click or hover a name for details
- Received:
- 01 Jan 2026
- Published Online:
- 30 Sep 2026
- Article type:
- Research Article
- Language:
- EN
- Article no.:
- JDMSC-2860
- Pages:
- 3435–3451
Abstract
Abstractly, the fast development of quantum computing is a threat to classical public-key cryptographic infrastructures. Asymmetric algorithms (which are widely used and include RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)) are susceptible to the Shor algorithm, which can break them in a time-polynomial manner. This paper will give a detailed comparative study of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) schemes founded on discrete algebraic structures such as lattice-based, code-based, hash-based, and multivariate polynomials based cryptosystems. These paradigms are systematically assessed according to computational complexity, key and ciphertext sizes, security reduction assumptions, and how they can be deployed on large scale networks. The NIST-standardized algorithms, which are the focus of our analysis, are ML-KEM (CRYSTALS-Kyber), ML-DSA (CRYSTALS Dilithium), FN-DSA (Falcon), and SLH-DSA (SPHINCS+). We also consider hybrid cryptography transitional measures to provide backward compatibility and security guarantee in the process of migrating the classical to quantum-resistant systems. As we found, the current state of lattice-based schemes provides the most desirable ratio of security to performance in large-scale applications, although, in the long run, code-based and multivariate schemes are necessary as their complements.
Keywords
Subject Classifications
References
[1] S. Rai, A. K. Upadhyay, D. Sharma, D. Raj, A. K. Gupta, and D. Ather, “Quantum cryptography—A modern approach,” J. Discrete Math. Sci. Cryptogr., vol. 26, no. 7, pp. 1991–2006 (2023), doi: 10.47974/JDMSC-1839.
[2] K. C. Dekkaki, I. Tasic, and M.-D. Cano, “Exploring post-quantum cryptography: Review and directions for the transition process,” Technologies, vol. 12, no. 12, Art. no. 241 (2024), doi: 10.3390/technologies12120241.
[3] S. K. Sahu and K. Mazumdar, “State-of-the-art analysis of quantum cryptography: Applications and future prospects,” Front. Phys., vol. 12, Art. no. 1456491 (2024), doi: 10.3389/fphy.2024.1456491.
[4] S. Sonko, K. I. Ibekwe, V. I. Ilojianyа, E. A. Etukudoh, and A. Fabuyide, “Quantum cryptography and U.S. digital security: A comprehensive review,” Comput. Sci. IT Res. J., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 390–414 (2024), doi: 10.51594/csitrj.v5i2.790.
[5] S. M. Hosseini and H. Pilaram, “A comprehensive review of post-quantum cryptography: Challenges and advances,” Int. J. Data Netw. Sci., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 267–288 (2025), doi: 10.5267/j.ijdns.2024.12.003.
[6] S.-Y. Chang and Q. Khan, “Post-quantum cryptography in networking protocols: Challenges, solutions, and future directions,” Cryptography, vol. 10, no. 1, Art. no. 12 (2026), doi: 10.3390/cryptography10010012.
[7] S. Rai, A. K. Upadhyay, M. Sah, N. Gupta, M. Singh, and D. Raj, “Secure demand and price prediction model for ride hailing apps using user encrypted data,” in Proc. 2025 Int. Conf. Networking and Cryptology (NETCRYPT), New Delhi, India, pp. 1753–1758 (2025), doi: 10.1109/NETCRYPT6757.2025.11102587.
[8] Y. Baseri, V. Chouhan, and A. Hafid, “Navigating quantum security risks in networked environments: A comprehensive study of quantum-safe network protocols,” Comput. Secur., vol. 142, Art. no. 103883 (2024), doi: 10.1016/j.cose.2024.103883.
[9] J. Hekkala, M. Muurman, K. Halunen, and V. Vallivaara, “Implementing post-quantum cryptography for developers,” SN Comput. Sci., vol. 4, Art. no. 365 (2023), doi: 10.1007/s42979-023-01724-1.
[10] D.-T. Dam, T.-H. Tran, V.-P. Hoang, C.-K. Pham, and T.-T. Hoang, “A survey of post-quantum cryptography: Start of a new race,” Cryptography, vol. 7, no. 3, Art. no. 40 (2023), doi: 10.3390/cryptography7030040.
[11] R. Rubia, J. Lincy R., E. E. Nithila, S. Shibi C., and A. Rosi, “A survey about post quantum cryptography methods,” EAI Endorsed Trans. Internet Things, vol. 10, no. 1, Art. no. 5099 (2024), doi: 10.4108/eet.5099.
[12] V. Chouhan, M. Aldarwbi, S. Sadeghi, A. A. Ghorbani, A. Chow, and R. Burko, “Assessing the quantum readiness of cryptographic standards: Recommendations toward quantum-era compliance,” Comput. Standards & Interfaces, vol. 97, Art. no. 104114 (2026), doi: 10.1016/j.csi.2025.104114.
[13] S. Farooq, A. Altaf, F. Iqbal, E. B. Thompson, D. L. R. Vargas, I. de la Torre Díez, and I. Ashraf, “Resilience optimization of post-quantum cryptography key encapsulation algorithms,” Sensors, vol. 23, no. 12, Art. no. 5379 (2023), doi: 10.3390/s23125379.
[14] A. Singh, P. Kumar, A. Kumar, N. Gupta, R. N. Ravikumar, and D. Raj, “An efficient and secure mobile agent-based model for medical health care data protection,” J. Discrete Math. Sci. Cryptogr., vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 2503–2519 (2026), doi: 10.47974/JDMSC-2756.
[15] O. Popoola, M. Rodrigues, J. Marchang, A. Shenfield, A. Ikpehai, and J. Popoola, “An optimized hybrid encryption framework for smart home healthcare: Ensuring data confidentiality and security,” Internet Things, vol. 27, Art. no. 101314 (2024), doi: 10.1016/j.iot.2024.101314.
[16] G. Routis, G. Katsouris, and I. Roussaki, “Cryptography-based location privacy protection in the Internet of Vehicles,” J. Ambient Intell. Humaniz. Comput., vol. 15, no. 8, pp. 3119–3139 (2024), doi: 10.1007/s12652-024-04752-8.
[17] R. S. Shukla, D. Ather, D. Raj, A. Jain, T. Sarkar, and M. Rakhra, “A secure and intelligent framework for cyber threat detection using machine learning,” J. Discrete Math. Sci. Cryptogr., vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 2441–2457 (2026), doi: 10.47974/JDMSC-2752.
[18] R. Kuang and A. Chan, “Quantum encryption in phase space with displacement operators,” EPJ Quantum Technol., vol. 10, Art. no. 26 (2023), doi: 10.1140/epjqt/s40507-023-00183-0.
[19] M. S. Adhikari, R. Gupta, D. Raj, A. K. Sagar, D. Ather, and A. K. Agrawal, “Enhancing energy efficiency in IoT via cellular network integration,” in Energy Efficient Internet of Things-Based Wireless Sensor Network, A. Panwar, V. Jain, U. Sugandh, and V. Kukreja, Eds. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley, pp. 91–133 (2026), doi: 10.1002/9781394314751.ch4.
[20] M. Tukur, J. Schneider, M. Housen, A. H. Dokoro, U. I. Ismail, M. Dawaki, and M. Agus, “The metaverse digital environments: A scoping review of the challenges, privacy and security issues,” Front. Big Data, vol. 6, Art. no. 1301812 (2023), doi: 10.3389/fdata.2023.1301812.




