A Software-Defined Deterministic Internet of Things (IoT) with Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Quantum-Safe Cyber-Security

The next-generation Internet of Things (IoT) will enable Industry 4.0 and Smart Cyber-Physical Systems, including Smart Cities and Smart Manufacturing. These Smart Systems require: (i) ultra-low latencies, and (ii) immunity from cyber-attacks. This paper explores a "Software-Defined Deterministic IoT", with Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Cyber-Security. It introduces a new sub-layer (3a) of "Software Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WANs)", using simple and secure deterministic packet switches (ie low-cost FPGAs). A "Software Defined Networking" (SDN) control-plane uses collaborative AI systems to implement Zero Trust Architectures (ZTAs) and Guaranteed Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs), to control access to all critical resources. The SD-WANs can support millions of Deterministic Virtual Private Networks (DVPNs).The approach has many benefits: (i) All interference, congestion, and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDOS) attacks are eliminated; (ii) End-to-end delays are determined by the speed of light in fiber; (iii) The SD-WANs provide hardware support for the US NIST ZTA and Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC); (iv) All communications within a DVPN are encrypted with PQC, and are immune to attacks from Quantum Computers; (v) The expected number of a successful cyber-attacks per year against a nation's critical infrastructure from external cyber-attackers is zero, when using Quantum-Safe ciphers; (vi) Total cost savings are estimated at $100s of Billions USD per year.