Lightweight security architecture in edge computing has emerged as a crucial research area, addressing the need for robust security mechanisms in resource-constrained and highly distributed edge environments. Research papers in this domain explore efficient authentication, encryption, access control, and intrusion detection methods that minimize computational overhead while ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Studies highlight lightweight cryptographic algorithms, secure key management, blockchain-based trust frameworks, and AI-driven anomaly detection tailored for edge devices with limited processing power and energy resources. Recent works also investigate integration with federated learning, Zero Trust Architecture, and multi-tier edge–fog–cloud systems to provide scalable and resilient security solutions. Applications of lightweight security architectures span Internet of Things (IoT), smart healthcare, autonomous vehicles, industrial IoT, and smart cities, where real-time protection and low-latency operations are critical. Overall, research in lightweight security for edge computing emphasizes designing adaptive, efficient, and robust frameworks that secure distributed infrastructures without compromising performance or resource efficiency.