Enhancing IoT security in smart grids with quantum-resistant hybrid encryption

Abstract Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart grids has revolutionized the energy sector, enabling real-time data collection and efficient energy distribution. However, this integration also introduces significant security challenges, particularly data encryption. Traditional encryption algorithms used in IoT are vulnerable to various attacks, and the advent of quantum computing exacerbates these vulnerabilities. To address the above challenges, this paper proposes a novel encryption mechanism, the Quantum-Resistant Hybrid Encryption for IoT (QRHE-IoT), designed to enhance the security of communications in IoT-enabled smart grids. QRHE-IoT combines the strengths of symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms and incorporates quantum-resistant algorithms to provide robust security. This paper explains the QRHE-IoT mechanism, its theoretical basis, and how it addresses the security challenges in smart grid communications. It also presents the results of tests conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of QRHE-IoT in a simulated smart grid environment. The proposed QRHE-IoT mechanism presents a promising solution to these challenges, offering robust security for smart grid communications in the face of emerging threats, including quantum computing.