Power Network SCADA Quantum Communications: A Comparison of BB84, B92, E91, and SGS04 Quantum Key Distribution Protocols

2026-03-01

AI Summary

This study addresses the security requirements of power system SCADA networks—specifically confidentiality and integrity—under the paramount constraint of high availability. It presents the first systematic evaluation of four quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols—BB84, B92, E91, and SARG04—in the context of large-scale, multivariate real-time data transmission. Leveraging the AIC security model, the authors conduct simulations on an optical fiber communication platform using real-world SCADA and PMU datasets. The results reveal significant performance disparities among the QKD protocols when deployed in power grid scenarios, offering both theoretical foundations and practical guidance for selecting appropriate protocols to construct a highly available and secure quantum communication framework for critical energy infrastructure.

Technology Category

• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning
• Search and Optimization: Distributed Search
• Data Mining & Knowledge Management: Scalability, Parallel & Distributed Systems

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Energy management for devices in mobile Web and WoT environments
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics

Abstract

The current state, emerging trends, and practical challenges of optical fiber-based power network SCADA quantum communication must be addressed to fully utilise the technological platform's potential in real-world power system SCADA communications involving massive volumes of real-time data, as well as in managing, encoding, and applications such as quantum cryptography. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is an essential part of the cybersecurity paradigm for quantum communication. Even though quantum computing with individual circuits yields probabilistic outcomes for the problem at hand, real-world datasets are complex and challenging to handle, even with telemetry. When using the cybersecurity triad of availability, confidentiality, and integrity (CIA) in reverse order (AIC), availability is given priority in electric power networks. This research assesses the use of the BB84, E91, B92, and SARG04 cryptographic protocols by applying them to large, multivariate power-system SCADA datasets and comparing the outcomes. By leveraging the variety of QKD protocols available with quantum electronics hardware, this simulation work provides a promising avenue for developing frameworks and deploying SCADA/PMU networks in actual power systems.

Problem

• Quantum Key Distribution
• SCADA
• Power Network
• Cybersecurity
• Quantum Communication

Innovation

• Quantum Key Distribution
• SCADA
• Power System Cybersecurity
• QKD Protocol Comparison
• Quantum Communication