Journal of Current Studies in SDGs
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): March

Towards Sustainable and Trustworthy Digital Infrastructure: Benchmarking RSA and ECDSA Digital Signature Algorithms in Support of SDGs 9 and 16

Yuliani Puji Astuti (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Ulfa Siti Nuraini (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
18 Jun 2026

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare the performance of the Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA) and Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) digital signature schemes in terms of key generation, signing, verification, and storage efficiency. The research supports the advancement of secure digital communication systems aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 and 16, which emphasize innovation, resilient digital infrastructure, and trustworthy institutions. Method: A quantitative experimental approach was employed on a Windows AMD64 platform using Python. Five cryptographic configurations were evaluated: RSA-2048, RSA-4096, ECDSA P-256, ECDSA P-384, and ECDSA P-521. Performance tests were conducted on payload sizes of 1 KB, 10 KB, and 100 KB. Each cryptographic operation, including key generation, signing, and verification, was repeated 100 times to ensure measurement consistency and reliability. Results: The findings indicate that ECDSA significantly outperforms RSA in several performance aspects. ECDSA P-256 reduced signature storage requirements by 72.3%, generated keys nearly 13,000 times faster than RSA-2048, and signed 10 KB payloads approximately 48 times faster. ECDSA P-384 also demonstrated strong performance while providing a higher security level. Although RSA-2048 remains suitable for legacy systems, its efficiency is lower than ECDSA-based alternatives. Novelty: This study provides a comprehensive comparative evaluation of multiple RSA and ECDSA variants across different payload sizes and operational metrics, offering practical recommendations for selecting digital signature algorithms. The results highlight ECDSA P-256 as the optimal choice for 128-bit security requirements and ECDSA P-384 for applications requiring stronger 192-bit security.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JOCSIS

Publisher

Subject

Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance Environmental Science Social Sciences Other

Description

The Journal of Current Studies in SDGs is a scholarly journal dedicated to publishing the latest research, reviews, and analyses related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This journal aims to serve as an academic platform for researchers, scholars, and practitioners contributing to the ...