Hybrid Quantum-Classical Encryption (HQCE) Algorithm: A Post-Quantum Secure Solution for Data Encryption

While currently in practice, classical encryption methods such as RSA and AES-256 are opportunities in the age of quantum computing, algorithms such as Shor's are capable of bringing down their fundamental security. Unfortunately, these threats have not been well addressed by current technologies and hence Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) seeks to offer solutions that provide protections from quantum attacks. HQCE, the Hybrid Quantum-Classical Encryption algorithm combines AES-256 for encryption of data with LWE problem for quantum secure keying. HQCE derives a 256-bit AES key for data encryption and for protecting this generated AES key, it employs LWE making sure that the data is safe from any miscreants. In the decryption process the LWE layer decode the AES key so that only authorized personnel can decrypt the data. In this paper, I present the encryption and decryption mechanisms of HQCE with a security assessment and demonstrate that HQCE is a post-quantum security solution that is resistant to both classical and quantum adversaries.