Ultra-secure quantum protection for e-healthcare images: Hybrid chaotic one-time pad with cipher chaining encryption framework

Abstract Quantum computing introduces major threats to conventional image encryption methods, especially in medical contexts. This paper addresses these threats by developing a quantum-resistant encryption scheme for medical images. We present a novel framework combining: (1) a novel Mixed Logistic-...

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Main Authors: Roayat Ismail Abdelfatah, Reham Mohamed Elsobky, Salah Aldeen Khamis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of King Saud University: Computer and Information Sciences
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44443-025-00155-7
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author Roayat Ismail Abdelfatah
Reham Mohamed Elsobky
Salah Aldeen Khamis
author_facet Roayat Ismail Abdelfatah
Reham Mohamed Elsobky
Salah Aldeen Khamis
author_sort Roayat Ismail Abdelfatah
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Quantum computing introduces major threats to conventional image encryption methods, especially in medical contexts. This paper addresses these threats by developing a quantum-resistant encryption scheme for medical images. We present a novel framework combining: (1) a novel Mixed Logistic-Ikeda-Henon (MLIH) chaotic map for pseudorandom key generation, (2) quantum image representation using the Novel Enhanced Quantum Representation (NEQR) model, and (3) a two-stage encryption process employing Controlled-Not (CNOT) gate chaining for diffusion and One-Time Pad (OTP) with MLIH-generated keys for confusion. The RGB channels are processed separately through quantum state conversion, CNOT-based diffusion, and keyed confusion before final recombination. To validate practical feasibility, the proposed encryption scheme was implemented on IBM’s 127-qubit ibm_sherbrooke quantum processor, demonstrating real-world feasibility. Experimental validation shows near-ideal entropy (7.9977), superior NPCR (99.97%) and UACI (33.89%) values, and an expansive key space (21952). The novel MLIH demonstrates a 12.7% improvement in logic gate efficiency compared to conventional chaotic and the image encryption has quantum advantage through parallel CNOT operations. The hardware execution yielded a throughput of 4,500 Circuit Layer Operations Per Second (CLOPS), indicating efficient real-time performance on NISQ devices, Moreover, the echoed cross-resonance (ECR) gate error remained within a median of 1.1 × 10⁻2, supporting reliable circuit execution. The proposed scheme outperforms contemporary quantum and classical encryption approaches in terms of entropy, NPCR, UACI, and key sensitivity, all while maintaining a computational complexity of O(n), ensuring scalability. This study effectively bridges the gap between theoretical quantum security models and real-world implementation on existing NISQ devices, demonstrating resilience against classical statistical and differential attacks, as well as quantum-specific threats such as Grover’s brute-force search and quantum chosen-plaintext attacks. The successful deployment of IBM quantum hardware positions this scheme as a viable solution for secure medical image transmission in quantum-era healthcare systems.
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spelling doaj-art-046a3d7fc02d4a729b5d1fbc8ef8be502025-08-20T04:02:46ZengSpringerJournal of King Saud University: Computer and Information Sciences1319-15782213-12482025-08-0137614310.1007/s44443-025-00155-7Ultra-secure quantum protection for e-healthcare images: Hybrid chaotic one-time pad with cipher chaining encryption frameworkRoayat Ismail Abdelfatah0Reham Mohamed Elsobky1Salah Aldeen Khamis2Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz UniversityElectronics and Electrical Communications Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta UniversityElectronics and Electrical Communications Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta UniversityAbstract Quantum computing introduces major threats to conventional image encryption methods, especially in medical contexts. This paper addresses these threats by developing a quantum-resistant encryption scheme for medical images. We present a novel framework combining: (1) a novel Mixed Logistic-Ikeda-Henon (MLIH) chaotic map for pseudorandom key generation, (2) quantum image representation using the Novel Enhanced Quantum Representation (NEQR) model, and (3) a two-stage encryption process employing Controlled-Not (CNOT) gate chaining for diffusion and One-Time Pad (OTP) with MLIH-generated keys for confusion. The RGB channels are processed separately through quantum state conversion, CNOT-based diffusion, and keyed confusion before final recombination. To validate practical feasibility, the proposed encryption scheme was implemented on IBM’s 127-qubit ibm_sherbrooke quantum processor, demonstrating real-world feasibility. Experimental validation shows near-ideal entropy (7.9977), superior NPCR (99.97%) and UACI (33.89%) values, and an expansive key space (21952). The novel MLIH demonstrates a 12.7% improvement in logic gate efficiency compared to conventional chaotic and the image encryption has quantum advantage through parallel CNOT operations. The hardware execution yielded a throughput of 4,500 Circuit Layer Operations Per Second (CLOPS), indicating efficient real-time performance on NISQ devices, Moreover, the echoed cross-resonance (ECR) gate error remained within a median of 1.1 × 10⁻2, supporting reliable circuit execution. The proposed scheme outperforms contemporary quantum and classical encryption approaches in terms of entropy, NPCR, UACI, and key sensitivity, all while maintaining a computational complexity of O(n), ensuring scalability. This study effectively bridges the gap between theoretical quantum security models and real-world implementation on existing NISQ devices, demonstrating resilience against classical statistical and differential attacks, as well as quantum-specific threats such as Grover’s brute-force search and quantum chosen-plaintext attacks. The successful deployment of IBM quantum hardware positions this scheme as a viable solution for secure medical image transmission in quantum-era healthcare systems.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44443-025-00155-7Quantum computingNEQR modelChaotic mapsOne-Time Pad (OTP)E-healthcare system
spellingShingle Roayat Ismail Abdelfatah
Reham Mohamed Elsobky
Salah Aldeen Khamis
Ultra-secure quantum protection for e-healthcare images: Hybrid chaotic one-time pad with cipher chaining encryption framework
Journal of King Saud University: Computer and Information Sciences
Quantum computing
NEQR model
Chaotic maps
One-Time Pad (OTP)
E-healthcare system
title Ultra-secure quantum protection for e-healthcare images: Hybrid chaotic one-time pad with cipher chaining encryption framework
title_full Ultra-secure quantum protection for e-healthcare images: Hybrid chaotic one-time pad with cipher chaining encryption framework
title_fullStr Ultra-secure quantum protection for e-healthcare images: Hybrid chaotic one-time pad with cipher chaining encryption framework
title_full_unstemmed Ultra-secure quantum protection for e-healthcare images: Hybrid chaotic one-time pad with cipher chaining encryption framework
title_short Ultra-secure quantum protection for e-healthcare images: Hybrid chaotic one-time pad with cipher chaining encryption framework
title_sort ultra secure quantum protection for e healthcare images hybrid chaotic one time pad with cipher chaining encryption framework
topic Quantum computing
NEQR model
Chaotic maps
One-Time Pad (OTP)
E-healthcare system
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44443-025-00155-7
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