A Contiki OS–Based Hybrid Authentication Framework for IoT Employing ECC and LBAS

Abstract

This research explores a secure and efficient authentication protocol for Internet of Things (IoT) environments, employing a hybrid model that integrates Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) with the Lightweight Block Authentication System (LBAS). The approach aims to meet key IoT requirements, including resource efficiency, low latency, and strong security. Using Contiki OS as the simulation framework, three protocol variations are evaluated to measure their performance in terms of authentication success rate, latency, energy usage, packet loss, and communication overhead. Scenario 1 represents a baseline protocol focused on minimal computational load, providing high energy efficiency and low latency but offering only limited security. Scenario 2 enhances security with ECC-based encryption and multi-factor authentication, achieving stronger protection but at the cost of higher latency and energy consumption, making it best suited for sensitive data applications. Scenario 3 introduces a hybrid ECC-LBAS model with adaptive network optimizations, striking a balance between security and efficiency. This optimized protocol achieves a 99.1% authentication success rate, just 0.4% packet loss, and moderate energy consumption, making it highly reliable for resource-constrained IoT networks. The findings confirm that the ECC-LBAS hybrid approach is a practical solution for IoT deployments, offering adaptability to varying security and energy demands. This study provides a foundational reference for developing scalable, secure, and resource-aware IoT authentication protocols.