## 1 Introduction
Furthermore, IoT-enabled prosthetics may be vulnerable to firmware flaws that can lead to operational failures, while emergency alert systems are at risk of denial of service attacks, which could prevent timely notifications [17]. To ensure these devices can operate effectively and securely, it is imperative to address these pervasive security concerns. In this regard, cryptographic protocols are essential for bolstering the security of IoT edge devices. These protocols provide a robust framework for mitigating key vulnerabilities across various functionalities. For example, end-to-end encryption is crucial for safeguarding data privacy, ensuring that sensitive information--such as voice recordings and health data--remains confidential and inaccessible to unauthorized parties. Secure communication protocols, including Transport Layer Security (TLS), are vital for protecting data in transit, effectively preventing eavesdropping and man-in-themiddle attacks. Such measures are particularly important for remote monitoring systems and assistive communication devices, where the integrity and confidentiality of data are paramount. Moreover, the implementation of robust authentication methods, such as public key infrastructure (PKI) and digital signatures, is critical for ensuring that only authorized users can access and control devices like smart wheelchairs and environmental control systems. By significantly mitigating the risks associated with unauthorized access, these methods enhance user trust in IoT technologies. Additionally, secure firmware update protocols, such as code signing, are necessary to confirm that only verified updates are applied to IoT-enabled prosthetics, thereby protecting against the exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Cryptographic techniques also play a pivotal role in verifying the authenticity of requests sent to emergency alert systems, thereby reducing the likelihood of false alerts and mitigating the risks of denial of service attacks. Furthermore, cryptographic hashing algorithms help maintain data integrity by ensuring that information collected by environmental control systems remains intact and unaltered. Collectively, these protocols establish a comprehensive security framework that ensures the reliable and safe operation of IoT devices while safeguarding the privacy and well-being of individuals with disabilities. Implementing robust security measures is essential to fully harness the potential of IoT technologies in enhancing the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Given that these individuals often depend heavily on such devices, it is crucial to address the security vulnerabilities associated with them. The limited resources available in IoT edge nodes complicate the deployment of effective cryptographic protocols necessary for protecting user data. These protocols rely on finite field arithmetic operations, with finite field multiplication serving as a fundamental component in various arithmetic processes used within them [18; 19; 20]. Thus, advancements in these protocols are closely tied to improvements in this particular operation. Therefore, this research mainly focuses on developing a compact hybrid systolic multiplier architecture to enable the implementation of cryptographic protocols in resource-constrained IoT edge nodes, thereby bolstering the security of IoT assistive devices. By tackling these security challenges, we can unlock the full potential of IoT technologies to empower individuals with disabilities. Table 1 presents a summary of the challenges encountered by existing traditional multiplier designs and demonstrates how our proposed compact hybrid systolic multiplier architecture addresses these issues. This approach is intended to enhance both the security and efficiency of IoT assistive devices.