Schemes of IPsec integrated with quantum key distribution

Abstract With the rapid advancement of quantum computing, traditional security protocols based on classical encryption algorithms are increasingly vulnerable to potential quantum attacks. The current IPsec protocol, which relies on classical cryptographic methods, is insufficient to withstand such threats, thereby compromising the security of long-term data transmission. To address this issue, we propose integrating quantum key distribution (QKD) into the internet protocol security (IPsec) protocol, thereby enhancing its resilience against quantum computing attacks. Here, two schemes that merge QKD-generated keys with classical cryptographic keys are designed to enhance both security and stability. Furthermore, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of various QKD protocols implemented with the scheme, along with an assessment of its overall efficacy across a topological network configuration. This approach not only ensures secure data transmission in the era of quantum computing but also highlights the potential application value of integrating QKD with IPsec, providing valuable insights for the design and implementation of future quantum-secure communication systems.