Hash Function Design Based on Hybrid Five-Neighborhood Cellular Automata and Sponge Functions

In today’s world of pervasive computing, all the devices have become smart. The need for securing these devices becomes a need of the hour. The traditional cryptographic algorithms will not be ideal for small devices, and this opens a new area of cryptography named lightweight cryptography, which focuses on the implementation of cryptographic algorithms in resource-constrained devices without compromise in security. Cryptographic hash functions enable detection of message tampering by adversaries. This paper proposes a lightweight hash function that makes use of sponge functions and higher radii hybrid cellular automata (CAs). The proposed hash function shows good cryptographic properties as well as collision resistance and serves as an ideal hash function for lightweight applications.