Optimized Color Image Encryption Using Arnold Transform, URUK Chaotic Map and GWO Algorithm

A new image encryption algorithm based on the Arnold transform and URUK chaotic maps is proposed to deal with the issues of inadequate security and low encryption efficiency. Colored images consist of three linked channels used in the scheme. This method uses different keys to break the correlations between adjacent pixels in each channel. First, the plain image is split into RGB channels to encrypt each channel separately. Second, the Arnold transform performs pixel permutation, resulting in scrambled channels. third, the URUK chaotic maps generate three key vectors to perform pixel diffusion, resulting in diffused channels used as input for the following step. Finally, the GWO shuffles each channel independently, to get the minimum correlation between image pixels, which are then merged to obtain a cipher image. This method generates the cipher image with great unpredictability and security. The security is evaluated using various measures. The results demonstrated a high level of security attained by successfully encrypting colored images. Recent encryption algorithms are compared in terms of entropy, correlation coefficients, and attack robustness. The proposed method provided outstanding security and outperformed existing image encryption algorithms.