— IoT networks suffered from different kinds of attacks. The main issue of IoT security is the limitation of its node’s energy ability to perform big tasks such as encryption. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the dynamic landscape of lightweight cryptography research, particularly in the context of real-time traffic security and Internet of Things (IoT) networks. The aim of this research is to identify the gaps in IoT research efforts and draw up ways to address it. The objectives are highlighting the global collaboration and standardization initiatives that have shaped its development. Also, it emphasizes the importance of balancing cryptographic strength with practical considerations such as encryption latency, energy efficiency, and memory constraints, particularly crucial in the context of resource constrained IoT devices. Furthermore, it highlights innovative approaches proposed by researchers to enhance the security of cryptographic operations while minimizing overhead and ensuring compatibility with evolving wireless environments. It calls for sustained research efforts to address these challenges and foster the development of robust cryptographic solutions capable of meeting the stringent security requirements of modern digital ecosystems.