A new fast multiple color image encryption algorithm

Abstract

This article proposes a novel multiple-image encryption algorithm (MIEA) that utilizes parallel processing. The proposed MIEA combines multiple plain images, forming a plain image cube. The proposed MIEA is based on the generation and logical XORing of novel pseudo-random encryption keys from the hyperchaotic 4D Chen system and the Mersenne Twister, as well as the construction of six novel S-boxes from the hyperchaotic 4D Chen system and their application on each of the RGB color channels of the image cube, and each of its axial directions (x, y, z). The proposed MIEA is shown to be highly secure, highly efficient, and robust against a multitude of attacks. Average computed performance evaluation metrics values include an MSE of 10281.1, PSNR of 8.07 dB, MAE of 82.82, information entropy of 7.999, NPCR of $$99.62\%$$ 99.62 % , and UACI of $$33.3\%$$ 33.3 % . Moreover, images are encrypted at a rate of 96.4 Mbps, and a key space $$2^{4624}$$ 2 4624 is achieved. Bit-streams of encrypted images are shown to pass the NIST SP-800 statistical suite of tests successfully. The proposed MIEA is a novel and prime candidate for the real-time secure transmission of batches of images in industrial informatics milieu.