There are several emerging areas (e.g. sensor networks, healthcare, distributed control systems, the Internet of Things, cyber physical systems) in which highly-constrained devices are interconnected, typically communicating wirelessly with one another, and working in concert to accomplish some task. Because the majority of current cryptographic algorithms were designed for desktop/server environments, many of these algorithms do not fit into constrained devices.
NIST has initiated a process to solicit, evaluate, and standardize lightweight cryptographic algorithms that are suitable for use in constrained environments where the performance of current NIST cryptographic standards is not acceptable. NIST has published a call for algorithms (test vector generation code) to be considered for lightweight cryptographic standards. The deadline for submitting algorithms has passed.
NIST will hold a workshop on November 4-6, 2019 in Gaithersburg, MD, to discuss candidate algorithms, including design strategies, implementations, performance, cryptanalysis, and target applications.
July 20-21, 2015 First Lightweight Cryptography Workshop at NIST
October 17-18, 2016 Second Lightweight Cryptography Workshop at NIST
August 11, 2016 (Draft) NISTIR 8114 is published.
October 31, 2016 End of public comment period to Draft NISTIR 8114 Public comments received (August 11 - October 31,2016)
March 28, 2017 NISTIR 8114 Report on Lightweight Cryptography is published.
April 26, 2017 (Draft) Profiles for Lightweight cryptography standardization process is published.
May 14, 2018 (Draft) Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria for the Lightweight cryptography standardization process is published..
May 14, 2018 Federal Register Notice is published.
June 16, 2017 Public comments received (April 26 - June 16, 2017)
June 28, 2018 End of public comment period to the submission requirement. Public comments received (May 14-June 28, 2018).
August 27, 2018 Federal Register Notice is published
August 27, 2018 Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria for the Lightweight Cryptography Standardization Process is published.
January 4, 2019 Early submission deadline for early feedback
February 25, 2019 Submission dealine
March 29, 2019 Amendment Deadline
April 18, 2019 Announcement of the Round 1 Candidates
November 4-6, 2019 Third Lightweight Cryptography Workshop at NIST