<![CDATA[Image encryption is an indispensable technique in the realm of information security, serving as a pivotal mechanism to safeguard visual data against unauthorized access and potential breaches. This study scrutinizes the effectiveness of merging columnar transposition with the Hill Cipher methodologies, unveiling specific metrics from a curated set of sample images. Notably, employing column transposition with the key "JAYA" and the Hill Cipher with the key "UDINUSSMG," the encrypted images underwent rigorous evaluation. 'Lena.png' demonstrated an MSE of 513.32 with a PSNR of 7.89 dB, while 'Peppers.png' and 'Baboon.png' recorded MSE values of 466.67 and 423.92, respectively, with corresponding PSNR figures of 7.12 dB and 7.31 dB. Across all samples, a consistent BER of 50.00% indicated uniform error propagation, while entropy values settled uniformly at 7.9999, highlighting consistent data complexity. While the findings underscore a consistent error rate and complexity, there's a compelling need for further refinement to enhance image quality and security. Moreover, the study proposes future research avenues exploring a three-layer super encryption paradigm, amalgamating columnar transposition, Hill Cipher, and other robust algorithms. This approach aims to fortify encryption methodologies against evolving threats and challenges in data protection, offering heightened resilience and efficacy in safeguarding sensitive information.]]>
