A novel image encryption algorithm based on DNA strand exchange and diffusion

This article proposes an improved tent-dynamic cross coupled map lattice, which has superior ergodicity, broader chaotic range and higher information entropies than cross coupled map lattice and tent-dynamic cross coupled map lattice, and has high suitability for chaos-based image encryption algorithm. Traditional encryption scheme has two significant stages, including image confusion and diffusion. Our encryption algorithm utilizes DNA coding and sequences to construct short DNA strand and long DNA strand, where short DNA strand is used for DNA strand exchange, and long DNA strand is used for DNA strand diffusion. Compared to general image confusion, DNA strand exchange permutates parts of two diverse DNA strands, where the length of exchange is uncertain. Compared to image diffusion, DNA strand diffusion is divided into two categories according to Watson-Crick base pairing property, and different category applies diverse DNA computation operation. Through security analysis and statistical analysis, our encryption scheme can resist different attacks. Experimental results confirm that the proposed algorithm has a high degree of security and the excellent efficiency. (C) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.