Systematic Review of Lightweight Cryptographic Algorithms

2026-02-16

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of deploying conventional cryptographic algorithms—such as AES, RSA, and DES—in resource-constrained environments, where high computational, storage, and energy demands render them impractical. For the first time, a systematic literature review methodology is employed to conduct a multidimensional evaluation of lightweight cryptographic algorithms tailored for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, RFID systems, and wireless sensor networks. The assessment encompasses critical dimensions including performance, security, energy consumption, and implementation cost. Findings are synthesized through comparative tables and visualizations that elucidate design trade-offs and evolutionary trajectories across algorithmic approaches. The work not only identifies optimal algorithm selections for specific application scenarios but also establishes a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the future development of lightweight cryptographic solutions.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Internet of Things, Sensor Networks & Smart Cities
• Search and Optimization: Algorithm Configuration
• Constraint Satisfaction and Optimization: Other Foundations of Constraint Satisfaction

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Applications of cryptography
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Experiences and lessons learnt from Web-based algorithms and system deployments
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Algorithms and analysis for incomplete, noisy, or partially observed Web-related graphs

Abstract

The emergence of small computing devices and the integration of processing units into everyday objects has made lightweight cryptography an essential part of the security landscape. Conventional cryptographic algorithms such as AES, RSA, and DES are unsuitable for resource-constrained devices due to limited processing power, memory, and battery. This paper provides a systematic review of lightweight cryptographic algorithms and the appropriateness of different algorithms in different areas such as IoT, RFID, and wireless sensor networks. Using tabular analysis and graphical interpretation, we compare these algorithms in terms of performance, security, energy consumption, and implementation costs. An overview of the evolution of lightweight cryptography based on those design trade-offs is also provided.

Problem

• lightweight cryptography
• resource-constrained devices
• IoT
• RFID
• wireless sensor networks

Innovation

• lightweight cryptography
• systematic review
• resource-constrained devices
• performance-security trade-off
• IoT security