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Search Search CSRC MENU Search Search Projects Publications Expand or Collapse Drafts for Public Comment All Public Drafts Final Pubs FIPS (standards) Special Publications (SP s ) IR (interagency/internal reports) CSWP (cybersecurity white papers) ITL Bulletins Project Descriptions Journal Articles Conference Papers Books Topics Expand or Collapse Security & Privacy Applications Technologies Sectors Laws & Regulations Activities & Products News & Updates Events Glossary About CSRC Expand or Collapse Computer Security Division Cryptographic Technology Software Security Group Hardware Security Group Security Engineering and Risk Management Applied Cybersecurity Division Cybersecurity and Privacy Applications National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Contact Us Information Technology Laboratory Computer Security Resource Center Publications NIST SP 800-232 Ascon-Based Lightweight Cryptography Standards for Constrained Devices: Authenticated Encryption, Hash, and Extendable Output Functions Share to Facebook Share to X Share to LinkedIn Share ia Email Documentation Topics Date Published: August 2025 Author(s) Meltem Sönmez Turan (NIST) , Kerry McKay (NIST) , Jinkeon Kang (NIST) , John Kelsey (NIST) , Donghoon Chang (Strativia) Abstract In 2023, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced the selection of the Ascon family of algorithms designed by Dobraunig, Eichlseder, Mendel, and Schläffer to provide efficient cryptographic solutions for resource-constrained devices. This decision emerged from a rigorous, multi-round lightweight cryptography standardization process. The Ascon family includes a suite of cryptographic primitives that provide Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data (AEAD), hash function, and eXtendable Output Function (XOF) capabilities. The Ascon family is characterized by lightweight, permutation-based primitives and provides robust security, efficiency, and flexibility, making it ideal for resource-constrained environments, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, embedded systems, and low-power sensors. The family is developed to offer a viable alternative when the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) may not perform optimally. This standard outlines the technical specifications and security properties of Ascon-AEAD128, Ascon-Hash256, Ascon-XOF128, and Ascon-CXOF128. In 2023, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced the selection of the Ascon family of algorithms designed by Dobraunig, Eichlseder, Mendel, and Schläffer to provide efficient cryptographic solutions for resource-constrained devices. This decision emerged from a rigorous,... See full abstract In 2023, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced the selection of the Ascon family of algorithms designed by Dobraunig, Eichlseder, Mendel, and Schläffer to provide efficient cryptographic solutions for resource-constrained devices. This decision emerged from a rigorous, multi-round lightweight cryptography standardization process. The Ascon family includes a suite of cryptographic primitives that provide Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data (AEAD), hash function, and eXtendable Output Function (XOF) capabilities. The Ascon family is characterized by lightweight, permutation-based primitives and provides robust security, efficiency, and flexibility, making it ideal for resource-constrained environments, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, embedded systems, and low-power sensors. The family is developed to offer a viable alternative when the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) may not perform optimally. This standard outlines the technical specifications and security properties of Ascon-AEAD128, Ascon-Hash256, Ascon-XOF128, and Ascon-CXOF128. Hide full abstract Keywords Ascon ; authenticated encryption ; constrained devices ; eXtendable Output Function (XOF) ; hash function ; lightweight cryptography ; permutation-based cryptography ; standardization Control Families None selected Documentation Publication: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-232 Download URL Supplemental Material: NIST news article Lightweight Cryptography project Document History: 11/08/24: SP 800-232 (Draft) 08/13/25: SP 800-232 (Final) Topics Security and Privacy lightweight cryptography HEADQUARTERS 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899 X (link is external) facebook (link is external) linkedin (link is external) instagram (link is external) youtube (link is external) rss govdelivery (link is external) Want updates about CSRC and our publications? 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