Quantum Cryptography and Its Role in Securing Digital Data Transmission: A Survey of Existing Techniques, Challenges, and Future Solutions
Arslan Shafique, Deepak Arora, Moatsum Alawida, Iynkaran Natgunanathan, Abid Mehmood · IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society · 2026
Quantum image encryption (QIE) has emerged as a promising solution for securing digital data in an era dominated by rapid advancements in quantum computing and increasing cyber threats. Traditional cryptographic techniques, which rely on classical encryption methods, are vulnerable to the computational power of quantum algorithms, posing significant challenges for maintaining data privacy and integrity. This survey presents a thorough review of quantum encryption techniques, highlighting both their limitations and advantages, with a particular emphasis on their ability to ensure secure visual data transmission in the post-quantum era. Additionally, it provides a comparative analysis of classical and quantum cryptographic techniques, with a primary focus on quantum encryption methods. The survey also explores potential solutions to address the challenges inherent in classical encryption schemes, highlighting how these challenges can be mitigated through quantum encryption approaches. As quantum computing continues to evolve, the need for quantum-secure encryption methods becomes more critical. This survey not only highlights the innovative techniques that show promise for future secure visual data transmission but also identifies key areas for future research and development, paving the way for robust and scalable solutions in the quantum computing era.