Lightweight Cryptography for Securing IoT Networks: Balancing Performance, Scalability, and Security in Resource-Constrained Environments

Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming industries by enabling seamless data collection, transfer, and analysis across connected devices. Despite its diverse applications in healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, and industrial automation, IoT faces significant security challenges due to the limited computational resources, memory, and power constraints of devices like RFID tags, sensors, and smart cards. Traditional cryptographic algorithms such as AES, RSA, and DES are not well-suited for such resource-constrained environments. To address these challenges, researchers have developed lightweight cryptographic algorithms optimized for IoT networks. Over 50 lightweight algorithms have been introduced, with 57 more currently under review in the NIST lightweight cryptography competition. This paper evaluates existing algorithms based on their implementation cost, hardware and software performance, energy efficiency, and resistance to various attacks. Additionally, it emphasizes the growing need for innovative research to further enhance lightweight cryptography, balancing security, performance, and cost in the evolving IoT landscape.