The rapid evolution of 6G networks introduces unprecedented connectivity, speed, and data volume yet also heightens exposure to large-scale and intelligent cyberattacks. Traditional centralized intrusion detection systems are increasingly inadequate due to scalability limits, privacy risks, and latency challenges in distributed architectures. To overcome these constraints, this study proposes a Quantum-Enhanced Harris Hawks Optimization–based Federated Learning Intrusion Detection System (QHHO–FLIDS) that integrates quantum-driven feature selection with a hybrid CNN–LSTM framework deployed across edge nodes through federated learning. This approach enhances convergence efficiency, reduces data transfer, and preserves privacy by sharing encrypted model gradients instead of raw data. Extensive experiments using the CSE-CIC-IDS2018 and TON_IoT (2020) datasets confirm the system’s effectiveness, achieving detection accuracy above 99% with inference latency under 30 milliseconds. These results demonstrate that QHHO–FLIDS provides a lightweight, transparent, and adaptive security layer, offering significant implications for privacy-preserving intrusion detection and proactive threat mitigation in 6G-enabled cyber-physical environments.
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