A Blockchain-based Quantum Binary Voting for Decentralized IoT Towards Industry 5.0

2025-03-26

AI Summary

Addressing the challenges of transaction validity consensus under concurrent malicious nodes and device failures, and weak resistance to quantum attacks in decentralized Industrial 5.0 IoT scenarios, this paper proposes the first binary-voting consensus algorithm integrating quantum computing and blockchain. Methodologically, it innovatively combines quantum bit commitment, quantum Byzantine agreement, and blockchain architecture to design a verifiable quantum circuit, while integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and post-quantum cryptography to ensure secure communication and digital signatures. Theoretically, the protocol is proven to satisfy liveness and consistency, and is resilient against Sybil, 51%–majority, and Shor/Grover-type quantum attacks. Full-stack simulation is conducted on IBM Quantum and Simulaqron platforms; results demonstrate robust consensus maintenance under diverse internal and external adversarial conditions.

Technology Category

• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning
• Search and Optimization: Distributed Search
• Constraint Satisfaction and Optimization: Distributed CSP/Optimization

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Blockchains and distributed ledgers
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Experiences and lessons learnt from Web-based algorithms and system deployments
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Economic aspects of blockchain and cryptocurrencies

Abstract

Industry 5.0 depends on intelligence, automation, and hyperconnectivity operations for effective and sustainable human-machine collaboration. Pivotal technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) enable this by facilitating connectivity and data-driven decision-making between cyber-physical devices. As IoT devices are prone to cyberattacks, they can use blockchain to improve transparency in the network and prevent data tampering. However, in some cases, even blockchain networks are vulnerable to Sybil and 51% attacks. This has motivated the development of quantum blockchains that are more resilient to such attacks as they leverage post-quantum cryptographic protocols and secure quantum communication channels. In this work, we develop a quantum binary voting algorithm for the IoT-quantum blockchain frameworks that enables inter-connected devices to reach a consensus on the validity of transactions, even in the presence of potential faults or malicious actors. The correctness of the voting protocol is provided in detail, and the results show that it guarantees the achievement of a consensus securely against all kinds of significant external and internal attacks concerning quantum bit commitment, quantum blockchain, and quantum Byzantine agreement. We also provide an implementation of the voting algorithm with the quantum circuits simulated on the IBM Quantum platform and Simulaqron library.

Problem

• Enhance IoT security in Industry 5.0 using quantum blockchain
• Prevent Sybil and 51% attacks with quantum cryptographic protocols
• Achieve consensus in IoT networks despite faults or attacks

Innovation

• Quantum binary voting for IoT-blockchain consensus
• Post-quantum cryptography for attack resilience
• IBM Quantum platform simulation implementation