Enhancing Cloud Data Security Using a Hybrid Encryption Framework Integrating AES, DES, and RC6 with File Splitting and Steganographic Key Management

Cloud computing has revolutionized data storage and access, but its reliance on multi-tenant environments introduces significant security risks, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and integrity violations. Addressing these challenges, this study presents a hybrid encryption framework integrating Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Data Encryption Standard (DES), and RC6 algorithms. The framework incorporates file splitting and steganographic key management to ensure robust data protection in cloud environments. The encryption process involves a layered approach where multiple algorithms are applied sequentially to strengthen data security, while file splitting further complicates unauthorized access. The methodology includes a detailed simulation of the hybrid framework in a controlled environment, assessing its performance against key security metrics such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Results demonstrate that the proposed model significantly outperforms conventional encryption systems, offering enhanced security without compromising performance. Additionally, the use of steganography for key management ensures secure and seamless user interactions. This research contributes to the advancement of cloud data security by providing a scalable, efficient, and user-friendly encryption model that meets the growing demands of secure cloud computing. The findings are expected to guide the development of more robust security protocols for cloud storage systems, fostering user trust and adoption.