The Performance Impact of Post-Quantum Cryptography on User Experience

Nalty, Damien (2025) The Performance Impact of Post-Quantum Cryptography on User Experience. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This paper poses the key question - is web user experience actually impacted by post-quantum cryptography? In this research I have developed a test utility that provides visibility of how the performance of the cipher profiles differ, from legacy security right up to the highest-level standard quantum-resistant profiles. This research provides unique visibility of how the security profiles compare and perform and seeks to validate the KPIs used with a commercial security performance test suite. This paper and utilities used will serve as a guide to those needing to quantify the migration challenge ahead and which security posture and level best suits their needs.

Key findings from this research activity - the traditional approach of observing throughput and latency (round-trip time) metrics is not sufficient for evaluating user experience. A combination of connection-based metrics along with visibility of discrete exchanges within the connections, plus the key and signature data per profile provide the context required to assess performance. A pattern emerges when we analyse the bytes and packets transferred per handshake, regardless of the volume of packets or bytes exchanged.

The biggest challenge in the pending migration lies in supporting classical and post-quantum technologies in parallel. Hybrid profiles were the worst performers across the KPIs observed. The ultimate benefit is that a fully post-quantum landscape has a consistent performance profile across security levels out-performing equivalent classical solutions currently in place in performance and consistency.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Mustafa, Raza Ul UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > Computer software > Computer Security T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology > Computer software > Computer Security Q Science > QA Mathematics > Electronic computers. Computer science > Computer Systems > Computers > Electronic data processing > Quantum computing T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology > Electronic computers. Computer science > Computer Systems > Computers > Electronic data processing > Quantum computing
Divisions:	School of Computing > Master of Science in Cyber Security
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2026 08:36
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2026 08:36
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9811

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