In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT), where data security is paramount, a novel encryption method has emerged that promises to bolster protection for resource-constrained systems. Gülyeter Öztürk, a researcher from the Faculty of Technology at Sakarya University of Applied Sciences in Turkey, has developed an enhanced chaos-based encryption approach that integrates the lightweight structure of Ascon-AEAD128 with the randomness of the Zaslavsky map. This innovation could significantly impact sectors like agriculture, industry, and energy, where secure and efficient data encryption is crucial.
The study, published in the journal *Applied Sciences* (translated from Turkish as “Applied Sciences”), addresses the growing need for robust cryptographic algorithms in IoRT applications. Ascon-AEAD128, already widely used on various hardware platforms, is enhanced by incorporating keys and nonces generated by the Zaslavsky chaotic map. This deterministic, nonperiodic, and highly sensitive map adds an extra layer of security, making the encryption process more resilient against both passive and active attacks.
Öztürk explains, “The integration of the Zaslavsky map into Ascon-AEAD128 yields a chaos-based variant with higher encryption security. This method not only improves randomness and uniformity but also maintains the lightweight nature of Ascon, making it suitable for resource-constrained IoRT systems.”
The research introduces several exploratory variants that inject non-repeating chaotic values into the initialization vectors (IVs), round constants (RCs), and linear diffusion constants (LCs), while preserving the core permutation. Real-time tests were conducted using Raspberry Pi 3B devices and ROS 2–based IoRT robots. The algorithm’s performance was evaluated over 100 encryption runs on 12 grayscale/color images and variable-length text transmitted via MQTT.
Statistical and differential analyses, including histogram, entropy, correlation, chi-square, NPCR, UACI, MSE, MAE, PSNR, and NIST SP 800-22 randomness tests, assessed the encryption strength. The results indicate that the proposed method delivers consistent improvements in randomness and uniformity over standard Ascon-AEAD128, while remaining comparable to state-of-the-art chaotic encryption schemes across standard security metrics.
This research holds significant commercial implications, particularly for the energy sector, where secure data transmission is vital for operational efficiency and safety. As IoRT applications become more prevalent in smart grids and renewable energy systems, the need for lightweight yet robust encryption methods becomes increasingly critical. Öztürk’s work could pave the way for more secure and efficient data encryption in these applications, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected against potential threats.
The findings suggest that the algorithm is a promising option for resource-constrained IoRT applications, potentially shaping future developments in the field. As the demand for secure and efficient data encryption continues to grow, innovations like this could play a pivotal role in advancing the security landscape of IoRT systems.