A privacy-preserving quantum authentication for vehicular communication

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) involve the interconnection of numerous vehicles, enabling them to communicate vital information through a network designed for efficient vehicle-to-vehicle communication. This dynamic connectivity in VANETs allows for spontaneous communication among random vehicles, fostering real-time exchange of critical data such as traffic conditions, road hazards, and other relevant information. This cooperative network improves road safety and traffic efficiency by allowing vehicles to exchange information and respond to the ever-changing conditions in their proximity, leading to an overall enhancement in the transportation system. In this paper, we propose an authentication protocol that remains unconditionally secure against quantum attacks. This paper explores the integration of quantum authentication with blockchain technology to establish a secure framework for VANETs. We introduce a quantum blockchain framework aimed at augmenting the security of VANETs. The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the quantum blockchain’s potential to mitigate common security threats in VANETs, including data tampering, eavesdropping, and unauthorized access.