Reversible Data Hiding in FTIR Microspectroscopy Images with Tamper Indication and Payload Error Correction

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Data Management
• Information Security

Background:

• Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy and visible light images are typically stored as separate files.
• Managing separate image files can reduce efficiency and increase the risk of data loss or corruption.
• Ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of biomedical data is crucial for accurate analysis and reliable record-keeping.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel data hiding technique for embedding visible light images into FTIR spectral images.
• To improve data management efficiency by creating single, unified image entities.
• To enhance data security through confidentiality, availability, reliability, and integrity verification.

Main Methods:

• A histogram shifting-based reversible data hiding technique was employed to embed visible light images within FTIR spectral images.
• Keyed Hash-Based Message Authentication Codes (HMAC) were utilized to generate authentication tags for tamper detection.
• The method ensures that the original FTIR image can be perfectly restored after data extraction.

Main Results:

• FTIR spectral images with embedded data maintained good perceptual fidelity.
• Embedded data payloads were reliably recovered, even after simulated attacks like bit flipping and cropping.
• The data extraction process successfully reverted the FTIR images to their original state.
• Authentication tags effectively identified tampered or corrupted areas within the FTIR images.

Conclusions:

• The proposed reversible data hiding technique offers an efficient and secure solution for managing combined FTIR and visible light image data.
• The method successfully preserves data integrity, ensures reliable data recovery, and provides robust tamper detection capabilities.
• This approach significantly improves data management efficiency and security in biomedical imaging applications.