From Theory to Deployment: A Review of Quantum-Resistant Cryptographic Systems and Their Real-World Applications

Abstract

The high rate of development of quantum computing is a major threat to classical cryptographic systems such as RSA, Diffie Hellman and elliptic curve cryptography, which are based on mathematical problems amenable to quantum algorithms. In reaction, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) has become a research priority area aimed at the creation of quantum-resistant cryptography. In this paper, the review of the quantum-resistant cryptographic systems has been made, bridging the gap between the theoretical background and the implementation. The paper introduces a systematic taxonomy of key PQC strategies, such as lattice-based, code-based, hash-based, and multivariate cryptographic schemes, their basic principles, strengths, and weaknesses. It also analyses the security measures like quantum and classical resistance, cryptanalysis as well as the vulnerabilities in implementation. The paper also examines the system design issues, performance assessment measure, and the actual deployment in areas like secure communication, cloud computing, IoT, and blockchain. The review also covers current activities in standardization, especially the NIST PQC program, and a migration approach such as hybrid cryptographic models and crypto-agility. Finally, the key problems related to efficiency, scalability and long-term security are described, as well as future research directions. The article will provide an in-depth overview of the PQC systems and help build robust and quantum-resistant digital infrastructures that are both secure and scalable.