Feasibility and Performance of Post-Quantum Cryptography on Embedded Systems for Two-Wheeler Security

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">The proliferation of connectivity features (V2X, OTA updates, diagnostics) in modern two-wheelers significantly expands the attack surface, demanding robust security measures. However, the anticipated arrival of quantum computers threatens to break widely deployed publickey cryptography (RSA, ECC), rendering current security protocols obsolete. This paper addresses the critical need for quantum-resistant security in the automotive domain, specifically focusing on the unique challenges of two-wheeler embedded systems. This work presents an original analytical and experimental evaluation of implementing selected Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms, primarily focusing on NIST PQC standardization candidates (e.g., lattice-based KEMs/signatures like Kyber/Dilithium), on microcontroller platforms representative of those used in two-wheeler Electronic Control Units (ECUs) - typically ARM Cortex-M series devices characterized by limited computational power, memory (RAM/ROM), and strict real-time requirements. Our experimental study involved porting and optimizing PQC reference implementations for these constrained environments. We rigorously benchmarked key performance indicators, including key generation time, encapsulation/decapsulation speeds, signing/verification times, and memory footprint (stack usage, code size). The results demonstrate the feasibility of deploying specific PQC schemes, achieving practical execution times (e.g., key operations completing within tens to hundreds of milliseconds) and manageable memory overhead (fitting within typical MCU constraints) for securing functions like secure boot, firmware updates, and authenticated communication. Performance trade-offs between different PQC algorithms regarding speed, key/signature sizes, and memory consumption are analyzed. The significance of this contribution lies in providing the first quantitative performance data and feasibility analysis for PQC adoption within the specific context of two-wheeler embedded systems. These findings offer crucial insights for OEMs and suppliers planning the transition to quantum-safe security architectures, ensuring the long-term security and trustworthiness of connected two-wheelers against future cryptographic threats.</div></div>