Comparative Study of Image Encryption and Image Steganography Using Cryptographic Algorithms and Image Evaluation Metrics

In this paper, Steganography is carried out by converting the message hidden into ciphertext using renowned cryptographic algorithms like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Triple Data Encryption Algorithm (TDEA or Triple DEA). The embedding technique produces a Stego image. Considering this as the first level of encryption, we then encrypted the whole stego image using AES and TDEA algorithms, giving us the second layer of encryption. The encrypted stego image will be returned in enc format, unreadable without the proper key. We have good resistance to brute-force, statistical, and differential attacks due to the experimental results of two tiers of protection. In addition to the encryption and decryption process, this paper also talks about Image evaluation metrics like PSNR value and SSIM value, performed on stego images, which use ciphertext from AES and TDEA algorithms that provides the statistical information.