Exploring smooth number-based MAC algorithms for secure communication in IoT devices: a systematic literature review

The landscape of Internet of Things (IoT) devices presents unique challenges and requirements for ensuring communication security. In this context, symmetric authentication mechanisms such as Message Authentication Codes (MACs) have gained prominence due to their efficiency and simplicity. However, traditional MAC schemes may face limitations in IoT environments with constrained computational resources and power supplies. This paper explores the feasibility of leveraging Smooth Number-based MAC (SNMAC) algorithms to address these challenges. Smooth numbers, a subset of integers with prime factors below a certain threshold, offer potential optimizations for cryptographic schemes due to their properties in fast integer factorization. Through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) conducted between 2012 and 2023, we examine existing research to determine the viability of SNMAC algorithms for IoT devices. The SLR process identified 368 research papers initially, culminating in 37 relevant papers after filtering. Our findings suggest that while traditional MAC algorithms like HMAC are widely used, SNMAC algorithms remain largely unexplored in the IoT context. However, previous studies indicate the potential of smooth numbers in cryptographic applications, highlighting opportunities for further research in this area.