Designing Secure and Survivable Stegosystems

S.K. Pal; P.K. Saxena; S. K. Muttoo

doi:10.14429/dsj.56.1886

S.K. Pal Scientific Analysis Group, Delhi
P.K. Saxena Scientific Analysis Group, Delhi
S. K. Muttoo University of Delhi, Delhi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.56.1886

Keywords: Steganography, steganalysis, bit-substitution, transform-domain, undetectability, stegosystem, secure communication, information security, communication security, cryptography

Abstract

Steganography, the art and science of carrying out hidden communication, is an emerging
sub-discipline of information security. Unlike cryptography, steganography conceals the existence
of a secret message by embedding it in an innocuous container digital media, thereby enabling
unobstrusive communication over insecure channels. Detection and extraction of steganographic
contents is another challenge for the information security professional and this activity is
commonly known as steganalysis. Recent progress in steganalysis has posed a challenge for
design and development of stegosystems with high levels of security and survivability. In this
paper, different strategies have been presented that can be used to escape detection and foil
an eavesdropper having high technical capabilities as well as adequate infrastructure. Based on
the strength and weaknesses of current steganographic schemes, ideas have been progressed
to make detection and destruction of hidden information more difficult.