International Journal of Computer Networks and Applications (IJCNA)

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International Journal of Computer Networks and Applications (IJCNA)

International Journal of Computer Networks and Applications (IJCNA)

Published By EverScience Publications

ISSN : 2395-0455

NDN: An Ultra-Lightweight Block Cipher to Secure IoT Nodes

Author NameAuthor Details

Nagaraj Hediyal, Divakar B.P

Nagaraj Hediyal[1]

Divakar B.P[2]

[1]School of Electrical and Electronics, REVA University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

[2]Research and Development Cell, REVA University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Cite this Article

DOI: 10.22247/ijcna/2025/15

Pages : 227-251

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Abstract

The rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in critical infrastructures, including smart grids, healthcare, and intelligent traffic management systems, has significantly enhanced modern living. However, securing resource-constrained IoT nodes presents substantial challenges. This article introduces Neural-Network Driven (NDN), an ultra-lightweight block cipher designed for IoT nodes, employing a novel combination of a 4×4 substitution layer, a primitive polynomial-based bit transformation, an inversion function for enhanced complexity, and a neural network-inspired permutation using a 16-point radix-4 discrete Fourier transform (DFT). NDN supports 64-bit data blocks with 80-bit and 128-bit keys, achieving scalability and adaptability across diverse IoT applications. Comprehensive security analysis demonstrates its robustness against differential, linear, algebraic, related-key, and impossible differential cryptanalysis. Performance evaluation across ASIC and AVR RISC platforms validates NDN's efficiency in real-world IoT environments. This study provides a significant step toward secure, scalable, and adaptable cryptographic solutions for future IoT infrastructures.

Index Terms

Lightweight

Block

Cipher

Energy

Complexity

Artificial

Decipher

Feistel

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