Using Cryptography and Steganography for a Three-Layered Data Hiding System

Protecting sensitive information or data against cyber threats is critical for ensuring trust and integrity in many applications. Traditional cryptographic methods cannot withstand sophisticated attacks. To address these challenges, a three-layered security approach is proposed. In the proposed approach, the first layer uses a substitution encryption algorithm followed by AES-128 encryption. This enhanced ciphertext complexity. The encrypted data is then masked within cover media using steganography. This approach provided a secure defense mechanism, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. Through rigorous testing, the strategy proved effective against interception, decryption, and detection, meeting the specific requirements of banking systems and other institutions that handle sensitive data. This will enhance the proactive defense mechanism and ensure customer trust. Adopting this security strategy is vital for mitigating cyber risks and protecting banking and financial data integrity. It offers a robust defense mechanism crucial for safeguarding financial transactions and data security in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.