Securing the Internet of Things: A Comprehensive Analysis of Lightweight Cryptographic Approaches for Resource-Constrained Devices

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has introduced significant security challenges due to their resource constraints and widespread deployment in critical applications. This research examines lightweight cryptographic approaches that can provide robust security for IoT communication while operating within the severe computational, memory, and energy limitations of IoT devices. Through systematic analysis of existing lightweight cryptographic primitives, protocols, and frameworks, this paper identifies the most promising solutions for securing IoT ecosystems. Our findings indicate that optimized implementations of established algorithms like AES, novel lightweight block ciphers such as PRESENT and SIMON, and emerging post-quantum resistant schemes offer viable security options for different IoT deployment scenarios. The research also evaluates implementation challenges, performance metrics, and security-efficiency tradeoffs across various IoT application domains. This comprehensive analysis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on IoT security by providing a structured evaluation framework for selecting appropriate lightweight cryptographic solutions based on specific IoT device constraints and security requirements.