| CODE | CCE5202 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Multimedia Security | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Communications and Computer Engineering | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit introduces multimedia security, focusing on current topics in the area. Specifically, this module covers the twin subjects of steganography and steganalysis and the related field of watermarking. The developing field of image forensics is also introduced, in comparison with methodologies used in steganalysis. This study-unit assumes a basic working knowledge of calculus and statistics, using tools from signal and image processing, information and coding theory, and other subjects as needed. Experiments on real images demonstrate the techniques used. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the theoretical background and practical methodologies related to hiding information in images and detecting such content. Similar methods designed to resist removal are also considered. These are also compared with methods to detect artifacts in images and to use these as a signature for a specific image acquisition device or process. The unit will equip students with a critical awareness of image acquisition processes, as well as spatial-domain and transform-domain techniques for hiding information, and of the effect these methods have on the statistical properties of the image. This knowledge is used to design and implement blind and targeted steganalysis in an attempt to determine whether or not an image contains hidden data. Practical experiments allow the students to apply this theoretical understanding to embed and detect data in images. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify and explain: the various techniques to represent a digital image, and the main steps in conventional image acquisition processes; - describe the advantages and limitations of spatial-domain and transform-domain embedding techniques; - demonstrate a critical awareness of the security problem in steganography, and how this can be tested; - identify the different frameworks for performing steganalysis, and explain the advantages and limitations of each; - describe various targeted and blind steganalysis algorithms; - compare the image forensics problem with steganalysis, and explain what is currently achievable and what the limitations of current systems include. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to implement various targeted and blind steganalysis algorithms and analyse their performance. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Essential Texts: - Fridrich, J. (2010), Steganography in Digital Media: Principles, Algorithms, and Applications, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 978-0-521-19019-0. - Schaathun, H. G. (2012), Steganography and Steganalysis, Wiley, ISBN: 978-0-470-66305-s9. Recommended Texts: - Schneier, B. (1996), Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code in C, 2nd Edition, Wiley, ISBN: 978-0471117094. - Ferguson, N., and Schneier, B. (2003), Practical Cryptography, Wiley, ISBN: 978-0471223573. - Katzenbeisser, S., Petitcolas, F. (1999), Information Hiding Techniques for Steganography and Digital Watermarking, Artech House, ISBN: 1-58053-035-4. - Husrev Taha Sencar, Nasir Memon (Ed.) (2013), Digital Image Forensics: There is more to a picture than meets the eye, Springer, ISBN: 978-1-4614-0756-0. Background/Reference: - David M. Beazley (2006), Python Essential Reference, Third Edition, SAMS. - Gonzalez, R.C., Woods, R.E., Eddins, S.L. (2009), Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB, 2nd edition, Gatesmark Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-982-08540-0. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & Practicum | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Johann A. Briffa |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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