Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{204140,
        author = {Dr. M. Divya and Aishwarya S},
        title = {Post Quantum-Resistant Authentication Framework for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks using Falcon and Dilithium Digital Signatures},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {949-965},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=204140},
        abstract = {Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are decentralized wireless networks that enable communication among mobile nodes without relying on fixed infrastructure. Due to their dynamic topology and open communication environment, MANETs are highly vulnerable to authentication attacks, impersonation, and unauthorized access. Traditional authentication mechanisms based on RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) face significant security risks with the emergence of quantum computing, which can compromise conventional public-key cryptographic systems. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a Post Quantum-Resistant Authentication Framework for MANETs using two NIST-standardized lattice-based digital signature algorithms, Falcon and Dilithium. The proposed framework integrates post-quantum digital signatures into the MANET authentication process to ensure secure node verification and trusted communication. The performance of both algorithms is evaluated using the CRAWDAD MANET dataset and NS-3 generated MANET traffic scenarios. Experiments are conducted using NS-3 Simulator, Python 3.12, NetworkX, SimPy, Open Quantum Safe (liboqs), and oqs-python libraries. Key performance metrics including Key Generation Time, Verification Time and End-to-End Delay are analyzed and compared. The results demonstrate the trade-offs between Falcon’s compact signature size and fast verification capabilities and Dilithium’s implementation simplicity and computational efficiency. The proposed framework enhances MANET security against future quantum threats while maintaining acceptable network performance, making it a suitable solution for next-generation secure wireless ad hoc networks.},
        keywords = {Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET), Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), Falcon, Dilithium, Digital Signatures, Quantum-Resistant Authentication, Network Security, Node Authentication, Lattice-Based Cryptography, Secure Routing, Quantum Computing Threats.},
        month = {June},
        }