SMAKAP: Secure Mutual Authentication and Key Agreement Protocol for RFID Systems

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a crucial technology in the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling seamless wireless communication and data exchange. However, these technologies can pose significant security chal-lenges if not implemented with proper attention to security protocols-especially in communication, where pre-shared keys are not used between active tags and readers for device authentication. Some recent authentication protocols rely solely on a hash function, nonce, and single public kay agreement, which can lead to failure to implement robust security and proper authentication or ineffective for high security application environments. To effectively address these challenges this paper proposes a secure Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) based lightweight mutual authentication protocol utilizing a hybrid key agreement protocol between active tag and reader for secure communication in RFID-enabled devices in the IoT environments. The informal analysis demonstrates a secure communication environment for data privacy and flexibility through effective key management. This protocol is adaptable to various applications by addressing specific requirements and limitations.