Embedded Encryption and Symmetric Key Approach for Enhanced Image Security Using Visual Secret Sharing
摘要
In today’s digital era, images have become one of the most crucial data types, with applications sprawling across various domains, from medical imaging to social media platforms. These visual data carriers are integral to communication systems, where the swift exchange of image-based information is often essential. However, the ubiquitous use of images also introduces significant security concerns. Images often contain sensitive information, necessitating robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access. Visual Cryptography (VC) is an encryption technique that protects images by encrypting them into indecipherable shares. These shares are digitally stacked to reveal the original image, providing a unique method for securing image data during transmission. This research paper proposes the Significant Embedding Visual Cryptography Protocol (SEVCP), an innovative approach to enhancing the security and integrity of image communication. The proposed SEVCP is designed with a threefold objective: to bolster security, maintain the quality of the reconstructed image, and ensure computational efficiency. By integrating VC with public key symmetry, the SEVCP effectively encrypts images, which are then transmitted as separate, non-discernible shares. Experimental results show the SEVCP’s effectiveness, achieving high-quality image reconstruction with a Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio up to 44.64 decibels (dB). This denotes that the protocol successfully maintains image quality in the reconstruction while ensuring robust security. The complexity analysis further reveals the efficiency of the SEVCP, making it suitable for real-time secure image transmission. This research establishes the way for a new standard in image encryption, leveraging the strengths of VC while addressing its traditional shortcomings.