Efficient post-quantum cryptographic signature aggregation for low-latency distributed networks

Distributed systems are widely used in modern environments such as cloud platforms, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, smart grids, and blockchain-based systems. These platforms often require digital signatures to maintain trust between devices or users. When many signatures are shared at once, the size of the communication grows, and processing takes more time. This becomes a problem in applications where quick message verification is important. Classical digital signature schemes, such as Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) and Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), are not safe against quantum attacks. Post-quantum cryptography offers better protection, but it often increases communication size and computation cost. This paper introduces a quantum-resistant model that supports signature aggregation and constant-time verification. The method is based on lattice-based techniques, using structures similar to CRYSTALS-Dilithium. By combining several signatures into a single aggregated form, the model reduces the time needed for verification and the overall communication overhead. The design is suitable for real-time applications, offering strong accuracy and faster message handling. Simulation results show that the proposed method performs better than recent approaches in multiple areas. The model achieves a low authentication time, high verification accuracy, reduced message size, and improved throughput. These benefits help meet the needs of distributed systems where speed, accuracy, and security must work together. The architecture is designed to be flexible for use in real-world deployments. Future directions include support for multi-party signing, adaptive quantum-safe policies, and integration with quantum co-processors. This research supports the development of secure and efficient communication frameworks that remain effective even in the presence of future quantum threats.