CAREER: Post-Quantum Security and Identity Foundations for Adaptive 6G Infrastructure

Today, wireless networks protect personal information using secret codes called encryption. Soon, a new type of computer called a quantum computer may become powerful enough to crack these codes, putting hospitals, emergency services, banks, and everyday communications at risk. This project aims to make future wireless networks safe from this threat. It builds new ways to lock and protect information that quantum computers cannot break. It also creates systems that can sense when a network is under attack and automatically switch to stronger protection, keeping wireless connections safe and working smoothly. This project addresses three interconnected research thrusts. The first thrust designs and evaluates quantum resistant versions of next generation authentication and communication protocols by integrating National Institute of Standards and Technology standardized post quantum cryptography algorithms, including Module Lattice Key Encapsulation Mechanism and Module Lattice Digital Signature Algorithm, into wireless protocol stacks. The second thrust develops a decentralized digital identity framework using quantum resistant digital credentials for secure cross domain authentication. The third thrust builds an adaptive cryptographic agility engine powered by reinforcement learning that autonomously selects security configurations based on real time network conditions, device resources, and threat levels. This project advances the national priority to transition critical digital infrastructure to quantum resistant protection before large scale quantum computers emerge. Graduate and undergraduate students will receive training in post quantum cryptography and wireless security through new curriculum, research experiences, and a hands on Quantum Defender Challenge competition. Laboratory modules will be shared nationwide through the National Science Foundation Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research program. Outreach activities will broaden awareness of quantum safe security among students across communities in Central Florida. Open source software tools and experimental datasets will be shared with the research and education community to accelerate innovation. All software implementations, datasets, protocol emulators, and experimental artifacts developed in this project will be maintained in a public repository to support transparency and long term public reuse. The repository will include open source software, protocol reference implementations, testbed container images compatible with the National Science Foundation ARA Wireless Living Laboratory platform, and reproducible evaluation scripts. Documentation and instructional materials will also be provided to support research, teaching, and technology transfer in secure wireless systems. The project website will be maintained for at least five years after the award period ends. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2542642 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT,01002930DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT,01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Abdullah Aydeger | Institution: Florida Institute of Technology, MELBOURNE, FL | Award Amount: $373,253 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2542642 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2542642.html