A Model and Quantitative Framework for Evaluating Iterative Steganography

This study presents a detailed characterization of iterative steganography, a unique class of information-hiding techniques, and proposes a formal mathematical model for their description. A novel quantitative measure, the Incremental Information Function (IIF), is introduced to evaluate the process of information gain in iterative steganographic methods. The IIF offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing the step-by-step process of embedding information into a cover medium, focusing on the cumulative effects of each iteration in the encoding and decoding cycles. The practical application and efficacy of the proposed method are demonstrated using detailed case studies in video steganography. These examples highlight the utility of the IIF in delineating the properties and characteristics of iterative steganographic techniques. The findings reveal that the IIF effectively captures the incremental nature of information embedding and serves as a valuable tool for assessing the robustness and capacity of steganographic systems. This research provides significant insights into the field of information hiding, particularly in the development and evaluation of advanced steganographic methods. The IIF emerges as an innovative and practical analytical tool for researchers, offering a quantitative approach to understanding and optimizing iterative steganographic techniques.