Lattice-Based Identity Authentication Protocol with Enhanced Privacy and Scalability for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) demand authentication mechanisms that are both secure and privacy-preserving, particularly in light of emerging quantum-era threats. In this work, we propose a lattice-based identity authentication protocol that leverages pseudo-IDs to safeguard user privacy, while allowing the Trusted Authority (TA) to trace misbehaving vehicles when necessary. Compared with existing approaches, the proposed scheme strengthens accountability, improves scalability, and offers resistance against quantum attacks. A comprehensive complexity analysis is presented, addressing computational, communication, and storage overhead. Analysis results under practical parameter settings demonstrate that the protocol delivers robust security with manageable overhead, maintaining authentication latency within the real-time requirements of VANET applications.