A Double-Layer Image Encryption Scheme Based on Chaotic Maps and DNA Strand Displacement

Abstract

The image encryption schemes combining chaotic maps, DNA coding, and DNA sequence operation can effectively protect the image. In this paper, a double-layer image encryption scheme is proposed by combining chaotic maps with DNA strand displacement (DSD). Chaotic maps are used to generate pseudorandom sequences and perform routine scrambling and diffusion operations on the plaintext image. We propose three DSD-based encryption rules according to the diversity of DNA strand displacement, and these three encryption rules are used to encrypt the image at the DNA sequence level. The plaintext image can be transformed into the cipher image, which is difficult to be recognized without the correct keys through the double-layer encryption at the level of chaotic maps and DNA. Simulation results and security analysis show that the proposed encryption scheme can effectively protect image information and resist conventional information attacks.