Robust information security system using steganography, orthogonal code and joint transform correlation

Abstract The paper presents a novel and efficient information security technique by employing orthogonal coding scheme, encoded steganography and nonlinear encryption scheme involving joint transform correlation. Multiple biometric signatures are encoded using individual orthogonal codes and then multiplexed together. The encoded and multiplexed image is then embedded inside a cover image utilizing a new steganography technique. Here, a color cover image is first decomposed into three color components, red, green and blue, each of which is used to embed one set of biometric signatures. In each component image, one bit from the three least significant bits is selected using another secret key which is then replaced by the information bit. The component stego images are combined to form the color stego image, which is again encrypted using a multiple phase-shifted reference joint transform correlation (MRJTC) technique. The MRJTC technique is a nonlinear encryption process which increases the security strength significantly against any unauthorized access. The encoded steganography process reduces the vulnerability of an intruder retrieving any information through any steganalysis attack. In addition, the orthogonal encoding scheme enhances the robustness by making the biometric information almost inaccessible without authorization.