Quantum color image encryption using a novel 4D hyperchaotic Lorenz system and Fibonacci transform.

Area of Science:

• Cybersecurity
• Quantum Computing
• Image Processing

Background:

• Satellite image integrity is crucial for ecological monitoring and national security.
• Existing encryption methods face challenges in balancing robustness and efficiency.
• There is a need for advanced encryption techniques for sensitive satellite data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel quantum chaos-based image encryption scheme (QCIES) for satellite images.
• To address the limitations of current encryption methods in terms of robustness and efficiency.
• To enhance the security and integrity of satellite image transmission.

Main Methods:

• Developed a QCIES utilizing a 4D hyperchaotic Lorenz system (4D-HLS) and quantum Fibonacci transform (QFT).
• Employed the Generalized Quantum Image Representation (GQIR) to convert conventional images into quantum data.
• Generated complex keys using 4D-HLS and encrypted pixel locations with QFT and a quantum adder.

Main Results:

• Achieved near-ideal correlation coefficients (< 0.004) and high information entropy (> 7.999).
• Demonstrated robust performance with NPCR at 99.64% and UACI at 33.56%.
• Secured a massive key space exceeding the NIST standard, ensuring resistance against brute-force attacks.

Conclusions:

• The proposed QCIES offers a significant advancement in satellite image encryption.
• The scheme provides a strong balance between security, robustness, and computational efficiency.
• QCIES establishes a new benchmark for secure satellite image transmission in critical infrastructure.