RETRACTED: Semi-quantum two-way authentication protocol between control centers and neighborhood gateways in smart grids

Abstract

To counteract the potential threat posed by quantum computers in the grid industry and ensure the secure facilitation of two-way communication within smart grids, the development of quantum-safe authentication protocols is imperative. This paper presents a semi-quantum two-way authentication protocol between the control center (CC) and the neighborhood gateway (NG). The proposed method utilizes single photons for communication between the CC and the NG. Security analysis illustrates that this protocol effectively withstands common attack methods, including impersonation attacks, and intercept-measure-measure attacks. Furthermore, by simulating the protocol process on the IBM quantum simulator, this protocol not only validates the theoretical framework but also confirms the practical viability of the protocol in current technologies.