High-performance image encryption framework using 2D nonuniform FFT and TDES for securing cognitive applications

This study proposes a fast, hybrid image cryptosystem that pairs classical encryption with transform-domain processing for securing multimedia and cognitive-computing use cases. The pipeline combines the 2D nonuniform FFT (2D-NUFFT) for nonuniform spectral scrambling, 2D discrete wavelet transform (2D-DWT) for multiresolution decomposition, chaotic random phase mask (CRPM) for nonlinear diffusion, and triple DES (TDES) for block-cipher protection. The results of simulations conducted show lossless reconstruction (MSE ≈ 10 − 24 ; PSNR = ∞, SSIM = 1.000) and strong security: NPCR = 99.65 %, UACI = 33.52 %, entropy = 7.9963, near-zero correlation (0.0009), and a near-ideal avalanche (50.06 %). The overall computational cost is O ( N 2 log ⁡ N ) (with the NUFFT as the main contributor), and a 512 × 512 frame completes in approximately 172 ms on a CPU-only setup. Taken together, these results indicate that the proposed framework provides a reliable, lightweight solution for real-time, high-security applications while maintaining exact decryption and robust resistance to common cryptanalytic attacks.