A Method for Securing Symmetric Keys for Internet of Things Enabled Distributed Data Systems

Abstract

This study introduces an innovative method for securing symmetric keys in Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled distributed data systems, focusing on enhancing data security while optimizing encryption and decryption times. Through a comprehensive analysis of various encryption algorithms—TEA, XTEA, BLOCK TEA (XXTEA), and the proposed NTSA algorithm—across different key sizes and file sizes, we aim to demonstrate the significant improvements our method offers over existing techniques. Our research meticulously evaluated the performance of these algorithms, employing random variations to encryption and decryption times to simulate real-world variability and assess the algorithms' efficiency and security robustness. The findings reveal that the NTSA algorithm, in particular, showcases superior performance, offering an approximate improvement of 10% to 15% in encryption and decryption times over traditional methods such as TEA and XTEA, and an even more considerable enhancement compared to BLOCK TEA (XXTEA). The key contribution of this study lies in its provision of a secure, efficient framework for symmetric key encryption in IoT-enabled distributed environments. By optimizing key size and algorithm selection, our method not only secures data against potential cyber threats but also ensures high-speed data processing—a critical requirement in the IoT domain where the volume of data transactions and the need for real-time processing are ever-increasing. The proposed method significantly advances the field of data security in distributed systems, especially within the context of the burgeoning IoT landscape. It underscores the importance of algorithmic efficiency and strategic key management in bolstering the security and performance of modern digital ecosystems.