Optimizing Lightweight Cryptographic Protocols for Secure Communication in Internet of Things(IoT) Devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly reshaped technological advancements, integrating a wide range of devices into a unified ecosystem. This interconnected network extends across various sectors, from everyday household gadgets to sophisticated industrial equipment, enabling seamless data exchange and automation. However, the exponential growth of IoT devices introduces critical vulnerabilities, as many devices are inherently resource-constrained and unable to support conventional security mechanisms effectively. This paper presents a novel lightweight cryptographic protocol designed for secure communication in resource- constrained IoT devices. The protocol combines Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) with an optimized symmetric encryption scheme to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity while minimizing computational overhead. The proposed protocol is evaluated against common cryptographic attacks and analyzed for its efficiency in terms of computational complexity and energy consumption.