CYBERSECURITY:DATA PROTECTION USING HYBRID ENCRYPTION & STEGANOGRAPHY

Abstract

In today’s digital era, the increasing volume of sensitive data transmitted over networks necessitates advanced security mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. Traditional encryption methods, while effective, often face limitations in terms of computational efficiency and vulnerability to sophisticated attacks. This research proposes a hybrid security framework that combines encryption and steganography to provide enhanced protection for digital data. The system uses strong cryptographic algorithms to encrypt confidential information, ensuring data confidentiality, and then embeds the encrypted data within digital media using steganographic techniques, making it less detectable to potential attackers. By integrating these two approaches, the proposed framework achieves dual-layer security, improving resistance against interception, tampering, and data leakage. The approach also ensures that data remains secure during transmission and storage, while maintaining minimal impact on system performance. Simulation results demonstrate that the hybrid model effectively safeguards sensitive information, offering a reliable and efficient solution for secure communication in cybersecurity applications.