Binary Search Tree Image encryption with DNA

Symmetric image encryption methods allow users to encrypt the image and hide it from others. Only those that possess the private key can decrypt the data in order to view the content. This paper proposed a new symmetric image encryption method using the concepts of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) sequence and Binary Search Tree (BST). The method initiates by generating the secret key. Next, the number of nodes in candidate BST is determined deterministically prior to create the candidate BST. Then, the plain image and the relevant candidate BST are converted to the relevant DNA sequences. Afterwards, the proposed method proceeds by superimposing DNA-BST over the DNA image in order to apply XOR function. Finally, the DNA image is converted to the cipher image. The experimental results approve the robustness of the proposed method against well-known attacks.