Blockchain-Driven Image Encryption Process with Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm for Security in Emerging Virtual Environments

The real world is bounded by people, hospitals, industries, buildings, businesses, vehicles, cognitive cities, and billions of devices that offer various services and interact with the world. Recent technologies, including AR, VR, XR, and the digital twin concept, provide advanced solutions to create a new virtual world. Due to the ongoing development of information communication technologies and broadcast channels, data security has become a major concern. Blockchain (BC) technology is an open, decentralized, and transparent distributed database that can be maintained by the group. BC's major features are high credibility, decentralization, transparency, versatility, autonomy, traceability, anonymity, intelligence, reward mechanisms, and irreversibility. This study presents a blockchain-driven image encryption technique using arithmetic optimization with a fractional-order Lorenz system (BDIE-AOFOLS). The BDIE-AOFOLS technique uses the FOLS method, which integrates the Arnold map, tent map, and fractional Lorenz system. Besides this, an arithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA) was carried out for the optimum key generation process to achieve the maximum PSNR value. The design of an AOA-based optimal generation of keys for the FOLS technique determines the novelty of the current work. Moreover, the cryptographical pixel values of the images can be stored securely in the BC, guaranteeing image security. We compared the outcomes of the proposed BDIE-AOFOLS technique against benchmark color images. The comparative analysis demonstrated the improved security efficiency of the BDIE-AOFOLS technique over other approaches, with a mean square error of 0.0430 and a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 61.80 dB.