Developing a secure image encryption technique using a novel S-box constructed through real-coded genetic algorithm's crossover and mutation operators

The objective of this study is to craft a novel S-Box tailored to stringent security standards, achieved through iterative application of crossover and mutation operators inherent to real-coded genetic algorithms, ensuring robust image encryption. The designed S-Box is rigorously evaluated across multiple criteria, demonstrating its superiority over comparable S-Box designs found in existing literature. Furthermore, a secure image encryption method based on the designed S-Boxes devised and also including a 2D hyperchaotic Styblinski-Tang map. Thorough security assessments, encompassing statistical analysis and resilience testing against diverse attacks and noise, it is validated the encryption technique's efficiency and applicability across varied scenarios.