Encryption Standards and Cryptographic Protocols for IoT Communication

Abstract

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has introduced un precedented connectivity and automation across various sectors, but it has simultane ously expanded the attack surface for malicious actors. Due to the inherent resource constraints of most IoT devices—including limited computational power, memory, and energy capacity—traditional cryptographic solutions are often unsuitable for direct imple mentation. This chapter provides a comprehensive examination of encryption standards and cryptographic protocols specifically tailored for IoT communication. We evaluate both symmetric and asymmetric algorithms, with a particular focus on the recent shift toward lightweight cryptography standardized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Through extensive simulation and comparative analysis, we demon strate the performance trade-offs between security levels and resource consumption. Our findings indicate that Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) significantly outperforms the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) algorithm in constrained environments, while the newly finalized ASCON suite offers optimal solutions for highly restricted devices. The chap ter concludes with actionable recommendations for implementing secure, scalable, and energy-efficient cryptographic architectures in modern IoT ecosystems.