Comparative Evaluation of AES, Camellia, and CLEFIA for Lightweight Environments: A Post-2023 Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of resource-constrained Internet of Things (IoT) devices, embedded sensors, and edge computing platforms has intensified the demand for cryptographic primitives that strike a balance between security and stringent hardware and energy constraints. This paper presents a post-2023 systematic literature review and meta-analysis of three standardized block ciphers: the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Camellia, and CLEFIA, with a focus on their adaptation to lightweight environments. Drawing on Scopus-indexed research from 2021–2024, we evaluate architectural innovations, hardware/software optimizations, side-channel countermeasures, and quantum-resilience considerations. Our analysis demonstrates that while AES dominates in hardware-accelerated and certification-driven environments, CLEFIA is most efficient in ultra-constrained hardware, and Camellia provides a balanced solution for mid-range systems. Recent developments, including RISC-V cryptographic extensions and machine learningassisted cryptanalysis, have reshaped performance and security expectations. Based on these findings, we propose a decision framework for cipher selection tailored to specific resource, energy, and certification constraints.