Secure and Energy-Efficient Communication in Wsns Using Ntru-Based Post-Quantum Cryptography

Resumen

Quantum computing poses a threat to existing cryptographic algorithms used in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). This paper presents PQ-LEWSN, a lightweight encryption framework based on NTRUEncrypt, a lattice-based algorithm known for quantum resistance. Designed for energy-constrained environments, PQ-LEWSN integrates techniques like key indexing, delta compression, and modular packetization. Simulation results from the Contiki-NG environment demonstrate a 21.3% reduction in encryption time and an 18.7% decrease in energy consumption when compared to traditional ECC-AES implementations. These improvements suggest that PQ-LEWSN is a practical solution for securing WSNs in the post-quantum era.