Dual mode data hiding in fully encrypted images with pixel-shuffling for cloud applications

Abstract

Data hiding in encrypted images (DHEI) is an important cybersecurity technology for covert communication. DHEI based on vacating room after image encryption (VRAE) is a more reliable approach in the aspect of security. However, it suffers from the problems of low data payload and image loss. To address these issues, we propose a partial reversible data hiding in encrypted images (PR-DHEI) based on pixel-shuffling, which provides an average data embedding rate (ER) of 0.64 bits per pixel without data loss. A new complexity measure is proposed to recover the image blocks with high accuracy. Furthermore, we also present an alternative mode with total reversibility (TR-DHEI) at the expense of sacrificing some data payload. Experimental results show that ER of the proposed scheme is significantly better than state-of-the-art schemes. Moreover, the security level and key features of the proposed scheme are also discussed.