Securing face images in UAV networks using chaos and DNA cryptography approach

Abstract In future applications of UAVs, the frequent transmission of image data raises significant security concerns, particularly regarding the privacy of facial information. Existing methods for protecting such data are often inadequate, especially in the context of UAVs, which require both high...

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Main Authors: Saba Inam, Shamsa Kanwal, Eaman Amin, Omar Cheikhrouhou, Monia Hamdi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11499-5
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author Saba Inam
Shamsa Kanwal
Eaman Amin
Omar Cheikhrouhou
Monia Hamdi
author_facet Saba Inam
Shamsa Kanwal
Eaman Amin
Omar Cheikhrouhou
Monia Hamdi
author_sort Saba Inam
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In future applications of UAVs, the frequent transmission of image data raises significant security concerns, particularly regarding the privacy of facial information. Existing methods for protecting such data are often inadequate, especially in the context of UAVs, which require both high security and efficiency. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a face encryption scheme utilizing a 4D hyperchaotic Chen system and DNA cryptography. First, edge recognition face detection technology is employed to detect facial features, with the corresponding matrix selected for encryption. The eigenvalues of the selected matrix are then extracted and hashed using the SHA-256 hash algorithm to enhance security, generating plain image associated chaotic sequences. These sequences are used for Multi-Dimensional cryptic transformation. By employing plaintext-associated hyperchaotic sequences, ciphertext feedback method and dynamic DNA chain encryption, the proposed face encryption scheme significantly strengthens resistance against cryptographic attacks. Simulations were conducted using MATLAB and the resulting performance evaluation metrics were compared with the current state-of-the-art (SOTA) schemes. Experimental outcomes and security analysis confirm that this face encryption scheme provides robust security and high efficiency, as evidenced by key performance metrics specifically an information entropy value of 7.9992, MSE of 8908.61, PSNR of 8.9619, SSIM of 0.00091, NPCR of 99.7163%, UACI of 33.5671%, demonstrating the robustness of our encryption algorithm against differential attacks, and a key space of $$\:\:{2}^{1024}$$ , ensuring resistance against brute-force attacks. Thus, the proposed face encryption scheme offers excellent performance and holds promising potential for ensuring face privacy by preventing unauthorized access to facial information.
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spelling doaj-art-485cb0c151de4e9fb8f2ba3072c694dd2025-08-20T03:46:01ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-11499-5Securing face images in UAV networks using chaos and DNA cryptography approachSaba Inam0Shamsa Kanwal1Eaman Amin2Omar Cheikhrouhou3Monia Hamdi4Department of Mathematical Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women UniversityDepartment of Mathematical Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women UniversityDepartment of Mathematical Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women UniversityCES Laboratory, ENIS, University of SfaxDepartment of Information Technology, College of Computer and Information Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityAbstract In future applications of UAVs, the frequent transmission of image data raises significant security concerns, particularly regarding the privacy of facial information. Existing methods for protecting such data are often inadequate, especially in the context of UAVs, which require both high security and efficiency. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a face encryption scheme utilizing a 4D hyperchaotic Chen system and DNA cryptography. First, edge recognition face detection technology is employed to detect facial features, with the corresponding matrix selected for encryption. The eigenvalues of the selected matrix are then extracted and hashed using the SHA-256 hash algorithm to enhance security, generating plain image associated chaotic sequences. These sequences are used for Multi-Dimensional cryptic transformation. By employing plaintext-associated hyperchaotic sequences, ciphertext feedback method and dynamic DNA chain encryption, the proposed face encryption scheme significantly strengthens resistance against cryptographic attacks. Simulations were conducted using MATLAB and the resulting performance evaluation metrics were compared with the current state-of-the-art (SOTA) schemes. Experimental outcomes and security analysis confirm that this face encryption scheme provides robust security and high efficiency, as evidenced by key performance metrics specifically an information entropy value of 7.9992, MSE of 8908.61, PSNR of 8.9619, SSIM of 0.00091, NPCR of 99.7163%, UACI of 33.5671%, demonstrating the robustness of our encryption algorithm against differential attacks, and a key space of $$\:\:{2}^{1024}$$ , ensuring resistance against brute-force attacks. Thus, the proposed face encryption scheme offers excellent performance and holds promising potential for ensuring face privacy by preventing unauthorized access to facial information.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11499-5Chaotic systemFace detectionPrivacy-preservingImage encryptionSHA-256DNA encoding
spellingShingle Saba Inam
Shamsa Kanwal
Eaman Amin
Omar Cheikhrouhou
Monia Hamdi
Securing face images in UAV networks using chaos and DNA cryptography approach
Scientific Reports
Chaotic system
Face detection
Privacy-preserving
Image encryption
SHA-256
DNA encoding
title Securing face images in UAV networks using chaos and DNA cryptography approach
title_full Securing face images in UAV networks using chaos and DNA cryptography approach
title_fullStr Securing face images in UAV networks using chaos and DNA cryptography approach
title_full_unstemmed Securing face images in UAV networks using chaos and DNA cryptography approach
title_short Securing face images in UAV networks using chaos and DNA cryptography approach
title_sort securing face images in uav networks using chaos and dna cryptography approach
topic Chaotic system
Face detection
Privacy-preserving
Image encryption
SHA-256
DNA encoding
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11499-5
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AT eamanamin securingfaceimagesinuavnetworksusingchaosanddnacryptographyapproach
AT omarcheikhrouhou securingfaceimagesinuavnetworksusingchaosanddnacryptographyapproach
AT moniahamdi securingfaceimagesinuavnetworksusingchaosanddnacryptographyapproach