Quantum-Inspired Image Encryption Scheme for Secure Medical Data Transmission

Researchers at the University of Delhi have developed a new quantum-inspired image encryption scheme designed to secure medical data transmission in e-healthcare environments. The scheme, described in a recent study, utilizes a 3-D hyperchaotic map and the novel enhanced quantum representation (NEQR) to achieve high sensitivity and confusion. The method decomposes grayscale medical images into most significant bit (MSB) and least significant bit (LSB) planes, encrypting the MSBs using quantum code scrambling and simulated quantum gates, while securing the LSBs using a 3-D hyperchaotic logistic-sine map. The scheme's performance was confirmed through experiments, demonstrating strong cryptographic performance and robustness against occlusion, noise, and statistical attacks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers propose a quantum-inspired image encryption scheme for secure medical data transmission in e-healthcare environments.
  • The scheme integrates a 3-D hyperchaotic map with the novel enhanced quantum representation (NEQR) to achieve high sensitivity and confusion.
  • The grayscale medical image is decomposed into the most significant bit (MSB) and the least significant bit (LSB) planes, and then encrypted and secured using different methods.
  • The MSBs are encrypted using quantum code scrambling and simulated quantum gates, while the LSBs are secured using the 3-D hyperchaotic logistic-sine map.
  • The SHA-256 hash function dynamically influences the key generation to increase key sensitivity.
  • The scheme is implemented using the IBM Qiskit simulator and demonstrates strong cryptographic performance with high entropy values, NPCR values, and UACI values.
  • The research concludes that the scheme shows robustness against occlusion, noise, and statistical attacks, making it suitable for privacy-preserving medical image transmission.
  • The authors include Upasana Singh, Sudhir Singh, Apoorva Tripathi, Khyati Sharma, and Buddha Singh from the University of Delhi.

Statistics:

  • The scheme's entropy values approach 7.999, indicating high sensitivity.
  • The NPCR values exceed 99.6%, demonstrating the scheme's robustness against differential attacks.
  • The UACI values are approximately 33.5%, highlighting the scheme's ability to resist statistical attacks.
  • The SHA-256 hash function dynamically influences the key generation, increasing key sensitivity.
  • The IBM Qiskit simulator is used to implement the scheme and confirm its performance.

Sources:

  • 3-d Hyperchaotic Quantum-inspired Image Encryption Scheme for Secure Communication In E-healthcare. The Journal of Supercomputing, 2025;81(15). (Reference: Springer, Van Godewijckstraat 30, 3311 Gz Dordrecht, Netherlands)
  • NewsRx. Reports Outline Information and Data Encoding and Encryption Findings from University of Delhi (3-d Hyperchaotic Quantum-inspired Image Encryption Scheme for Secure Communication In E-healthcare). Information Technology Newsweekly. October 21, 2025; p 643. (Reference: NewsRx LLC)