Advanced Privacy-Preserving RDH Scheme for Encrypting Sensitive Images: A Two-Level LSB Embedding Strategy

Abstract

In the digital age, safeguarding the security and privacy of sensitive images presents a paramount challenge. Transmission of confidential images over communication networks demands robust protection mechanisms to preserve their integrity and confidentiality. Encryption emerges as a fundamental practice in this endeavor, ensuring the secure transmission of images amidst the prevalence of multimedia communication. As internet connectivity and cloud storage systems proliferate, the need for enhanced security measures becomes ever more critical. Beyond conventional encryption, the imperatives of preserving image quality, particularly in domains such as forensics and military operations, underscore the importance of Reversible Data Hiding (RDH). RDH offers a promising solution by enabling the embedding of data into images while maintaining their original integrity, facilitating lossless recovery when needed. This thesis delves into efficient RDH schemes within the encrypted domain, proposing a comprehensive two-level security mechanism. By integrating authentication systems, maximizing data hiding capacity, and ensuring complete reversibility, these schemes aim to address the complex security challenges inherent in sensitive image transmission. Through this research, strides are made towards enhancing the security and privacy of sensitive images across various domains.