Rubik’s Cube Enhanced Columnar Transposition Cipher

Joshua Dagadu¹, Albert Armah^1, , Emelia O. Aboagye² and Sandra A. Mansuru¹

¹Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development

²Kumasi Technical University

Cite this paper:
Joshua Dagadu, Albert Armah, Emelia O. Aboagye and Sandra A. Mansuru. Rubik’s Cube Enhanced Columnar Transposition Cipher. Journal of Computer Sciences and Applications. 2024; 12(2):31-37. doi: 10.12691/jcsa-12-2-1

Abstract

This paper introduces an innovative encryption method that takes inspiration from the Rubik’s Cube. It combines a 3D cube representation with columnar transposition to enhance confusion and diffusion properties. The algorithm uses a sequence of “moves” similar to Rubik’s Cube operations, which are determined by a cryptographic key. These moves, such as face rotations and row swaps, are applied to the 3D representation of the plaintext to shuffle characters across multiple dimensions. The resulting scrambled configuration then undergoes further diffusion through a subsequent columnar transposition step. The key-governed sequence of moves achieves the confusion property, which obscures the relationship between the plaintext and the shuffled cube. The diffusion property is realised by the simultaneous rearrangement of multiple characters during each move, spreading the influence of individual plaintext characters across the ciphertext. This approach aims to provide robust cryptographic properties by combining the complexity of 3D permutations with traditional transposition techniques. The paper details the encryption and decryption processes, demonstrating the algorithm’s operation using a sample plaintext and key. The experimental results shows that the proposed algorithm demonstrates potential to resist various attacks.

Keywords:
Encryption Decryption Columnar Transposition Rubik’s Cube SHA-512

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