Lightweight image encryption for wireless sensor networks using optimized elliptic curve and fuzzy logic

Wireless Sensor Networks face data breach risks due to resource-limited nodes and open environments. This clearly identifies the vulnerability of WSNs to data breaches, setting the context for the research. This study introduces a lightweight image encryption scheme. It describes the purpose of proposing a secure and efficient encryption method suitable for WSNs. It is also possible to create an encryption that is inaccessible even for simple images. Using dynamic S-boxes generated by elliptic curve cryptography and a fuzzy logic system optimized by the Wild Horse Optimization algorithm. A 256 × 256 hash-based key drives dynamic S-boxes, with fuzzy logic generating random sequences (0-255) for pixel permutation, substitution, XOR, and shift register operations. WHO-optimized fuzzy rules enable efficient, pixel-specific encryption without full ECC encoding. This describes the hybrid ECC-fuzzy logic-WHO approach, detailing key components and operations. Simulations show robust security with entropy ~ 7.9994, NPCR > 99.6%, UACI ~ 33.46%, inter-pixel correlation < 0.0024, and encryption time of 0.874s for 256 × 256 images. Resisting differential, statistical, and noise attacks, the method outperforms existing approaches with low computational overhead, making it ideal for WSNs.