BLOCKCHAIN IMPLEMENTED DATA HIDING SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN SECURE COMMUNICATION, STORAGE AND TRANSMISSION OF DATA

摘要

Embodiments of the disclosure provide blockchain-implemented methods and systems for secure data transfer and/or storage via the use of data hiding (e.g. steganography algorithms, watermarking etc). In accordance with one aspect, a data hiding algorithm is applied multiple times to a portion of secret data to embed it in a cover file. This constructs layers of hidden data, e.g. secret data hidden in an image that is then used as secret data in a further cover file and so on. Each layer can incorporate encryption and authentication techniques to further enhance security. The final layer or a compressed version is provided within a blockchain transaction. Additionally or alternatively, the secret data can be split into a plurality of shares. This can be achieved using a splitting scheme such as, for example Shamir's Secret Sharing Scheme. Different shares of the secret data can then be encrypted before being hidden within a cover file. Different cover files can hide different shares, preferably each share being provided on the blockchain in a different transaction. To access the secret data, all of the cover files need to be identified and accessed from the blockchain, the relevant steganography, compression and encryption technique(s) applied to each, and then the secret data is reconstructed.