NIST Finalizes Lightweight Cryptography Standard, Protecting IoT Devices

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finalized its lightweight cryptography standard (NIST SP 800-232), based on the Ascon algorithm family. Designed for resource-constrained devices like those in the Internet of Things (IoT), RFID tags, and medical implants, the standard offers robust protection against cyberattacks. It includes variants for authenticated encryption with associated data (AEAD) and hashing, and considers side-channel attack resistance. This flexible and extensible standard provides a strong foundation for securing the ever-growing number of connected devices.