Abstract

The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) has profoundly transformed operational efficiency, situational awareness, and maritime logistics in ship-to-shore communication. At the same time, the increased dependence on remote sensors and connected devices has created serious vulnerabilites in data confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and other vital security functions. In Maritime IoT (MIoT) networks, Key Management Protocols (KMPs) play a crucial role in providing security to the maritime domain, facilitating the secure transfer and management of cryptographic keysts through various gateways and platforms. This work assesses the effectiveness, scalability, and robustness of non and cross KMPs—including symmetric, asymmetric, hybrid, and blockchain-based models—on secure ship-to-shore communication. We carry out a detailed analysis of protocol efficiency in terms of latency, processing costs, energy expenditure, attack resistance, and other scrutinized control variables through simulated trials and tested scenarios in real maritime environments. Results demonstrate the balance that exists between the strength of security measures and practicality of use, showing that admins pose the most burden under conditions of low bandwidth, intermittent connectivity, and resource limitations under which hybrid and lightweight cryptographic solutions perform best. The paper also describes issues of meeting compliance mandates and interoperability when implementing a KMP in global maritime networks. As outlined the evaluation framework provides maritime authorities, developers of IoT systems, and cybersecurity specialists with guidance on how to choose and refine their key management tactics to protect the evolving infrastructure of communication between ships and shores.