Quantum-Resistant Cryptography: Evaluating Secure Key Exchange Methods

Abstract

Advancements in quantum computing pose critical risks to classical cryptographic systems that rely on the computational hardness of integer factorization and discrete logarithms. This paper presents an evaluation of quantum resistant key exchange mechanisms, emphasizing the BB84 Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol and exploring emerging alternatives such as muon-based randomness for key generation. An implementation of the BB84 protocol using Microsoft’s Q# quantum programming language demonstrates its effectiveness in detecting eavesdropping through observable disturbances in quantum states. Simulations under both secure and compromised conditions confirm the protocol’s resilience against quantum based interception. Practical considerations such as scalability, noise tolerance, and hardware constraints are addressed, offering insight into the deployment challenges of QKD systems. Additionally, a comparative perspective is provided between quantum native approaches and post-quantum classical cryptographic solutions, including lattice-based schemes. The analysis supports the development of hybrid cryptographic infrastructures capable of withstanding quantum threats, thereby contributing to the future of secure communication systems.