Abstract

Smart Cities rely on high-density digital infrastructures that include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, digital identity systems, and operational technology. Although these systems improve efficiency and sustainability, they also provide a large cyber-physical attack surface. The problem is exacerbated by the advent of quantum computing, as popular public-key ciphers like RSA and elliptic-curve cryptography can be broken using quantum algorithms such as Shor's algorithm (Shor, 1994; Mosca, 2018). Smart cities rely on long-term data confidentiality, certificate-based trust, and remote management of critical infrastructure. This presents a strategic cyber resilience challenge. This thesis examines the impact of quantum technology on smart cities' cyber resilience, as well as how quantum-safe mechanisms can be integrated into urban digital infrastructure. The updated proposal now includes a critical literature review, case reasoning by comparison, a threat and vulnerability matrix, and a simulated BB84 quantum key distribution demonstration. According to NIST (2024b, 2024c, 2024d) and Pirandola et al. (2020), this thesis supports post-quantum cryptography (PQC) NIST standards FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and FIPS 205 as a scalable software migration strategy and quantum key distribution (QKD) as a selective protection strategy for high-value fixed communication links. The analysis demonstrates that quantum-safe resilience cannot be achieved solely through one technology. Any practical smart city transition must include a cryptographic inventory, data lifetime assessment, risk-based prioritization of critical services, hybrid migration, continuous monitoring, and governance. According to the simulation, the quantum bit error rate increases during the intercept-resend attack, alerting Alice and Bob to the eavesdropping activity and allowing them to discard the common key. The proposed framework integrates post-quantum cryptography for a wide range of software and cloud services, quantum key distribution for specific critical infrastructure links, and NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 governance functions to ensure ongoing operational resilience.

Publication Date

9-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Professional Studies (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Graduate Programs & Research

Advisor

Khalil l Hussaeni

Comments

This thesis has been embargoed. The full-text will be available on or around 10/27/2027.

Campus

RIT Dubai

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