journal-of-discrete-mathematical-sciences-and-cryptography Journal of Discrete Mathematical Sciences and Cryptography 2169-0065 0972-0529 Taru Publications 10.47974/JDMSC-2418 Secure communication framework using lattice-based encryption and image steganography Saini Ashok Kumar Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, India Saini Madan Lal Department of Apex- Computer Science and Engineering, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India Srivastava Devesh Kumar Department of Information Technology, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, India Singh Sandeep Department of Computer Science and Engineering, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, 122505, India Vats Prashant Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, India Tak Tan Kuan Department of Engineering Research Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore, 138683, Singapore 28 5-B 1855 1864 30 08 2025

Ensuring secure communication in modern digital networks is crucial to safeguarding sensitive information. This paper presents a novel framework that combines lattice-based encryption with image steganography to enhance data security and confidentiality. Lattice-based encryption offers strong resistance against quantum computing attacks, making it a robust choice for cryptographic security. Meanwhile, image steganography effectively conceals encrypted data within multimedia content, adding a layer of protection. The proposed framework leverages mathematical principles to optimize encryption strength while minimizing distortion in the steganographic process. 

 Lattice-based encryption Image steganography Secure communication Cryptographic security Data protection Secure digital transformation Data integrity Network security Smart cities E-governance IoT security Sustainable innovation (SDG 9) access open retracted no