Image encryption using binary bitplane

•A novel image encryption algorithm is proposed integrating the bitplane decomposition methods with bit-level scrambling techniques.•A bitplane of a source image is used as the security key bitplane to encrypt bitplanes of the original image.•Any image with the same size of the original image can be used as the source image.•Any bitplane decomposition method can be used to generate the security key bitplane.•Any scrambling algorithm can be used for bit-level permutation.

To enhance security of the bitplane decomposition based image encryption methods, this paper introduces a novel image encryption algorithm using a bitplane of a source image as the security key bitplane to encrypt images. Users have the flexibility to choose (1) any existing or newly generated image as the source image; (2) any decomposition method for generating the bitplane; (3) any decomposed bitplane as the security key bitplane; (4) any scrambling method for the bit-level permutation. As an example, this paper also proposes a bit-level scrambling algorithm to change bit positions. Simulations and security analysis are provided to demonstrate an excellent encryption performance of the proposed algorithm.