Quantum-Resistant Secure Transport Protocol (Q-STP): Hybrid Cryptographic Framework for Inter-Data-Center Resilience

Abstract

As quantum computing approaches practical scale, classical key-exchange and signature systems that secure today’s Internet are expected to become vulnerable to polynomial-time attacks. Protocols such as TLS 1.3 and IPsec rely on elliptic-curve and RSA primitives that can be broken by Shor’s algorithm once sufficiently large quantum processors exist. Global data-center backbones—where millions of sessions depend on deterministic encryption latency—require transport protocols that are simultaneously quantum-resistant, low-latency, and self-healing.

This research proposes the Quantum-Resistant Secure Transport Protocol (Q-STP), a novel hybrid cryptographic framework combining post-quantum key exchange with adaptive session management and federated key orchestration. Its central innovation, the Dual-State Cryptographic Handshake (DSCH), merges lattice-based PQC primitives with classical elliptic-curve algorithms in a dual-mode negotiation. The protocol autonomously selects and migrates between classical and post-quantum states according to real-time risk assessment from the Federated Key Controller (FKC). Experiments across geographically distributed data centers demonstrate a 65 % reduction in handshake latency versus pure PQC implementations, while maintaining complete resistance to simulated quantum key-recovery attacks. Q-STP achieved sustained throughput of 9.6 Gbps per session with negligible packet-loss overhead.