SORCHIC: A Hybrid Image Cipher for IoT Applications Using Second Order Reversible Cellular Automata

In the rapidly evolving digital world, ensuring secure data transmission, especially in image data pivotal to modern communication, remains critical. The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) increases the demand for encryption systems that combine strong security with efficiency. However, many current cryptosystems tend to favor one aspect over the other. To resolve this, new algorithmic methods are being developed to find a balance. First Order Cellular Automata (FOCA) are particularly promising for image encryption, as they align well with the complexities of image processing while keeping implementation complexity simple. This paper presents SORCHIC, an novel hybrid encryption algorithm crafted specifically for IoT applications that encrypt multichannel images. Utilizing Second Order Cellular Automata (SOCA) and Chaotic Maps, SORCHIC is thoroughly examined in this study. We provide detailed insights into its mechanisms, followed by a thorough experimental analysis comparing it to existing encryption methods. The results highlight SORCHIC’s robustness against various cryptanalytic attacks and demonstrate its superior efficiency over traditional techniques. This research advances encryption methods, particularly for IoT, by offering a robust, efficient, and secure solution for image data transmission.