Enhanced Text Security Using Fernet Cipher and Power Associative Loop-Based S-Box

Abstract

Using Base64 encoding, Fernet encryption, and ZIP compression. To increase encryption strength, it suggests a unique S-Box construction based on power associative loops. Although Base64 and Fernet guarantee data security, their cryptographic structures are weak. Although it doesn\'t support effective compression on its own, the S-Box improves security. The necessity of combining optimal compression with robust encryption is a significant research gap. The study assesses the trade-offs between performance and computational complexity in this integration. Additionally, it looks at adaptability to various languages and text formats. Tests of cryptographic strength using differential probability, avalanche effect, and nonlinearity reveal enhanced security with ECC support.

Introduction

With rising cyber threats and data breaches, securing text data has become crucial. Traditional encryption techniques (symmetric and asymmetric) have trade-offs: symmetric encryption is fast but has key management challenges, while asymmetric is secure but resource-intensive. This study proposes a hybrid encryption framework combining:

• Base64 Encoding

• Fernet Cryptography

• Power Associative Loop-based S-Box

The goal is to enhance security, efficiency, and resistance to modern attacks.

2. Key Components of the Framework

• Base64 Encoding: Preprocessing step for platform compatibility; not for encryption but prepares data for secure handling.

• Fernet Cryptography: A symmetric encryption method using HMAC for data integrity and authenticity.

• Power Associative Loop-based S-Box: Enhances encryption by introducing nonlinearity, confusion, and resistance to cryptanalytic attacks.

3. Applications

The encryption method is applicable in:

• Secure Communications (e.g., messaging and email)

• Cloud Storage Protection

• Financial Data Security

• Military and Government Information

• Healthcare Data Privacy Compliance

4. Related Work

• Base64 is widely used for converting binary to readable formats.

• Fernet offers secure symmetric encryption with integrity checks.

• S-Boxes, especially advanced types like those using chaos theory or power associative loops, provide stronger resistance than traditional AES S-Boxes.

5. Methodologies

Several methods to build secure S-Boxes include:

• AES S-Boxes: Based on finite fields, strong non-linearity.

• Chaos-based S-Boxes: Use chaotic maps for unpredictability.

• Algebraic/Permutation-based S-Boxes: Use group theory, cellular automata.

• Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC): Strong public-key cryptography based on elliptic curves.

6. Results and Performance

• Initial S-Box Design plays a vital role in confusion and security.

• A well-designed S-Box ensures avalanche effect (small input changes cause major output changes).

• Performance metrics focus on security strength, encryption efficiency, and resistance to known attacks.

Conclusion

Text encryption strength is greatly increased by combining the Fernet cypher with an S-Box and ECC key exchange based on a Power Associative Loop. While the custom S-Box adds nonlinear complexity to fend off attacks, ECC makes key exchange safe and effective. Excellent diffusion and high security were indicated by the remarkable 51%bit variation observed in SHA-256 avalanche effect tests. This outcome demonstrates that even small input changes result in significant output changes. All things considered, the system provides a very safe, effective, and dependable encryption framework for contemporary data security. The suggested encryption method uses a Power Associative Loop-based S-Box to increase substitution complexity, the Fernet cypher for symmetric encryption, and ECC for secure key exchange. While the custom S-Box enhances security, ECC guarantees that keys are transferred securely over an unprotected channel.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dwarampudi Pavani, Dr. Dasari Haritha, Mellam Aruna. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.