A Hybridized Model for Image Encryption through Genetic Algorithm and DNA Sequence

With the advent of multimedia technology and rapid data transmission ability of networks, images have become a vital source of extracting information. So its security becomes a critical issue. Images are encrypted to another form in order to preserve their data. In this paper, we have put forward a hybridized model for encrypting images through a combination of Genetic Algorithm and DNA Sequence. DNA sequence is basically chosen as it offers greater storage and higher computing capabilities. The encryption method consists of two phases- Transposition or Scrambling phase and Substitution phase. In the first phase, pixel locations are altered using GA to reduce the correlation among adjacent pixels. In substitution phase, the pixels are replaced by using XOR operation between the pixel values converted into binary strings and DNA substrings derived from a random DNA string. DNA substrings are used as keys for image encryption. The experimental outcome validates that the algorithm is simple, fast enough and feasible. Performance analysis asserts the robustness of the algorithm against all kinds of attacks and thereby maintaining higher security.