In a major development for the Internet of Things (IoT) industry, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has selected Ascon, a group of cryptographic algorithms, to protect data generated by small devices. The Ascon algorithms will be published as NIST’s lightweight cryptography standard later in 2023.
The IoT has transformed the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us, but the proliferation of connected devices has also led to a surge in cybersecurity threats. Protecting the vast amounts of data generated by the IoT is a critical challenge, and NIST’s choice of Ascon is a significant step towards strengthening the security of IoT devices.
Ascon is a family of authenticated encryption algorithms that are designed to provide strong security while being lightweight enough to run on small devices with limited computing power. The chosen algorithms are specifically designed to protect information created and transmitted by the IoT, including its myriad tiny sensors.
The NIST lightweight cryptography standard is an important set of guidelines that helps developers design secure, lightweight cryptographic algorithms for use in small devices. Ascon’s selection as a part of this standard is a validation of the group’s cryptographic strength and its suitability for protecting data in the IoT ecosystem.
The selection of Ascon is the result of extensive research and evaluation by NIST, which involved a thorough review of numerous lightweight cryptographic algorithms. Ascon’s robust security features, performance, and simplicity were some of the key factors that led to its selection as NIST’s preferred lightweight cryptography standard.
With the proliferation of IoT devices set to continue in the coming years, the need for strong, lightweight cryptographic algorithms has never been more pressing. The selection of Ascon as part of the NIST lightweight cryptography standard is a significant step towards securing the IoT ecosystem and protecting the vast amounts of data generated by small devices.
