Cryptographic enhancement of image data security through quantum-classical hybrid encryption with parameterized pixel ratios

To enhance the security of image data, this paper proposes a quantum-classical hybrid image encryption scheme based on parameterized pixel ratios. The scheme utilizes the pixel ratio of the image as parameters for quantum walks, Henon mapping, and Arnold Cat mapping, approximating the “one-time pad” encryption effect. With this scheme, even when encrypting multiple images using the same parameters, the resulting quantum walks random matrix and chaotic system trajectories are almost completely different. This encryption scheme eliminates the need for quantum representation of the image, thereby conserving quantum resources and reducing implementation complexity. Experimental results show that the scheme can resist statistical analysis, key analysis, noise and occlusion attacks, and has strong key sensitivity and large key space. Compared to other encryption schemes, the proposed approach exhibits advantages in terms of information entropy and plaintext sensitivity, indicating its higher level of security.