Using Cryptography and Steganography Techniques for Data Security

Abstract

This thesis explores a hybrid security framework that integrates cryptographic and stegano- graphic techniques to enhance data security in digital communication. The proposed model combines the RSA encryption algorithm with XOR ciphering and Least Significant Bit (LSB) image steganography. To secure the data, it is first encrypted with both RSA and XOR operations. The resulting ciphertext is then hidden in a digital image by modifying the LSB’s of the image’s pixel data. The analysis focuses on three critical metrics: the amount of data that can be hidden (embedding capacity), the resulting fidelity of the carrier image (image quality), and the processing resources required (computational complexity). Experimental results demonstrate that 1-bit and 2-bit LSB methods provide an optimal balance between security, imperceptibility, and processing efficiency, while deeper em- bedding increases data capacity at the cost of visible distortion and higher computational overhead. Evaluation metrics such as PSNR, MSE, BER, and correlation analysis con- firm the effectiveness of the hybrid approach in securing data transmission with minimal perceptual degradation. The findings highlight the potential of combining cryptography and steganography for robust, multi-layered protection of sensitive information in modern communication systems.