What is it about?
Our paper explores how to secure Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). These devices have limited power and memory, so traditional security is too heavy. We review and compare Lightweight Cryptography , efficient encryption designed for such devices, and evaluate them against industrial standards to see which are most suitable for different types of Industrial Control Systems (ICS). In short: We show which lightweight encryption mechanism best fit industrial needs and environments.
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Why is it important?
Industrial systems, like those that run power plants, factories, and water treatment facilities, are now filled with small, connected devices. If these devices are not well protected, hackers could disrupt operations, steal data, or even cause physical damage. But these devices often can’t handle heavy, traditional security. That’s why we need lightweight cryptography, security that is strong but fast and efficient enough for these limited devices. By comparing these methods against industrial standards and real control system needs, our work helps industries choose the right protection so they can stay safe while keeping systems running smoothly.
Perspectives
From my perspective, the growing use of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices in Industrial Control Systems (ICS) brings unique security challenges. These devices are often resource‑constrained, making traditional security measures impractical. I believe it is essential to identify and recommend lightweight cryptographic solutions that not only meet industrial security standards but are also realistically applicable in different ICS environments. My goal with this work is to bridge the gap between cryptography research and real‑world industrial needs, helping industries choose efficient, standards‑compliant security methods that strengthen resilience without compromising performance.
Saad khan
Universidade de Coimbra
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A Comprehensive Review on Lightweight Cryptographic Mechanisms for Industrial Internet of Things Systems, ACM Computing Surveys, August 2025, ACM (Association for Computing Machinery),
DOI: 10.1145/3757734.
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