Chaotic multiple-image encryption scheme: a simple and highly efficient solution for diverse applications

Abstract

A multitude of confidential and personal digital images are commonly stored and transmitted by devices with limited resources. These devices necessitate the implementation of uncomplicated yet highly efficient encryption techniques to safeguard the images. The challenge of designing encryption algorithms for multiple digital images that are simple, secure, and highly efficient is significant. This challenge arises due to the large quantity of images involved and the considerable size and strong inter-pixel associations exhibited by these digital images. We propose a method for efficiently, simply, and securely encrypting multiple images simultaneously using chaotic one-dimensional (1D) maps. Initially, each grayscale image is consolidated into a single, substantial image. Through transpose columnar transposition and bit-XOR diffusion procedures, each block undergoes parallel permutation and diffusion. The incorporation of parallel permutation and diffusion functions accelerates and enhances the performance of the method. In contrast to existing multi-image encryption methods, the proposed approach consistently employs a single 1D chaotic map, rendering the algorithm both software and hardware efficient while maintaining simplicity. The encryption technique adheres to general requirements for simplicity and high efficiency. Security analysis and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method is straightforward, highly efficient, and effectively enhances the security of cipher images.