Key Derivation: A Dynamic PBKDF2 Model for Modern Cryptographic Systems

Traditional key derivation techniques, including the widely adopted PBKDF2, operate with static parameters that do not account for contextual factors such as device capabilities, data sensitivity, or password strength. In this paper, we propose a novel adaptive PBKDF2-based encryption scheme that ad...

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Main Author: Ali Abdullah S. AlQahtani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Cryptography
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2410-387X/9/2/39
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author Ali Abdullah S. AlQahtani
author_facet Ali Abdullah S. AlQahtani
author_sort Ali Abdullah S. AlQahtani
collection DOAJ
description Traditional key derivation techniques, including the widely adopted PBKDF2, operate with static parameters that do not account for contextual factors such as device capabilities, data sensitivity, or password strength. In this paper, we propose a novel adaptive PBKDF2-based encryption scheme that adjusts its iteration count dynamically based on computational resource index (CRI), data risk level (DRL), and password strength assessment. We present the theoretical model, algorithmic design, and empirical validation of our approach through nine comprehensive experiments, covering performance, scalability, brute-force resistance, entropy quality, and cross-platform consistency. Our results confirm that the adaptive method achieves a secure balance between computational cost and cryptographic strength, outperforming static PBKDF2 in dynamic scenarios. Our framework enhances cryptographic resilience in real-world deployments and offers a forward-compatible foundation for adaptive security solutions.
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series Cryptography
spelling doaj-art-841f40baa8d1406e9f6bece703a950b02025-08-20T03:27:01ZengMDPI AGCryptography2410-387X2025-06-01923910.3390/cryptography9020039Key Derivation: A Dynamic PBKDF2 Model for Modern Cryptographic SystemsAli Abdullah S. AlQahtani0Department of Software Engineering (Cybersecurity Track), College of Computer & Information Science, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 11586, Saudi ArabiaTraditional key derivation techniques, including the widely adopted PBKDF2, operate with static parameters that do not account for contextual factors such as device capabilities, data sensitivity, or password strength. In this paper, we propose a novel adaptive PBKDF2-based encryption scheme that adjusts its iteration count dynamically based on computational resource index (CRI), data risk level (DRL), and password strength assessment. We present the theoretical model, algorithmic design, and empirical validation of our approach through nine comprehensive experiments, covering performance, scalability, brute-force resistance, entropy quality, and cross-platform consistency. Our results confirm that the adaptive method achieves a secure balance between computational cost and cryptographic strength, outperforming static PBKDF2 in dynamic scenarios. Our framework enhances cryptographic resilience in real-world deployments and offers a forward-compatible foundation for adaptive security solutions.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-387X/9/2/39adaptive cryptographyPBKDF2key derivation functioncontext-aware encryptiondynamic iteration tuningcomputational resource index
spellingShingle Ali Abdullah S. AlQahtani
Key Derivation: A Dynamic PBKDF2 Model for Modern Cryptographic Systems
Cryptography
adaptive cryptography
PBKDF2
key derivation function
context-aware encryption
dynamic iteration tuning
computational resource index
title Key Derivation: A Dynamic PBKDF2 Model for Modern Cryptographic Systems
title_full Key Derivation: A Dynamic PBKDF2 Model for Modern Cryptographic Systems
title_fullStr Key Derivation: A Dynamic PBKDF2 Model for Modern Cryptographic Systems
title_full_unstemmed Key Derivation: A Dynamic PBKDF2 Model for Modern Cryptographic Systems
title_short Key Derivation: A Dynamic PBKDF2 Model for Modern Cryptographic Systems
title_sort key derivation a dynamic pbkdf2 model for modern cryptographic systems
topic adaptive cryptography
PBKDF2
key derivation function
context-aware encryption
dynamic iteration tuning
computational resource index
url https://www.mdpi.com/2410-387X/9/2/39
work_keys_str_mv AT aliabdullahsalqahtani keyderivationadynamicpbkdf2modelformoderncryptographicsystems