A steganographic method of embedding an identifier into the spatial data of an electronic map

  • Evgenia A. Blinova Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7245-8721
  • Irina Yu. Stashevskaya Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus
  • Pavel P. Urbanovich Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus; The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, 14 Racławickie Alley, Lublin 20-950, Poland
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33581/2520-6508-2023-1-76-87

Abstract

Electronic maps (e-maps), which are a set of computer files, are the main form of representation of geographic information to the end user. An important task is protecting e-maps from unauthorised use or modification. This paper describes the steganographic method of embedding an invisible digital watermark into the spatial data of e-maps for protecting copyright, ensuring integrity of maps or proving their authenticity. The method is applicable to e-maps in the Shapefile and GeoJSON formats. It is based on the placement of additional points in spatial objects (polygons) of the e-map. In this case the e-map is used as a carrier object, and point coordinates are elements of the key information of the steganographic transformation. This establishes a relationship between the spatial objects of the e-map, which ensures their integrity. Algorithms for direct and inverse steganographic transformations are considered. The developed StegoMap Internet service for implementing the placement and extraction of an invisible digital watermark on the basis of the proposed method is described.

Author Biographies

Evgenia A. Blinova, Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus

senior lecturer at the department of information systems and technologies, faculty of information technologies

Irina Yu. Stashevskaya, Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus

masterʼs degree student at the department of information systems and technologies, faculty of information technologies

Pavel P. Urbanovich, Belarusian State Technological University, 13a Sviardlova Street, Minsk 220006, Belarus; The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, 14 Racławickie Alley, Lublin 20-950, Poland

doctor of science (engineering), full professor; professor at the department of information systems and technologies, faculty of information technologies, Belarusian State Technological University, and professor,  John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin

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Published
2023-03-30
Keywords: e-maps, steganography, copyright, digital watermark, spatial data, GeoJSON format, Shapefile format
Supporting Agencies This work was carried out with the financial support of the state program of scientific research «Digital and space technologies, security of man, society and state» for 2021–2025.
How to Cite
Blinova, E. A., Stashevskaya, I. Y., & Urbanovich, P. P. (2023). A steganographic method of embedding an identifier into the spatial data of an electronic map. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Mathematics and Informatics, 1, 76-87. https://doi.org/10.33581/2520-6508-2023-1-76-87
Issue
No 1 (2023): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Mathematics and Informatics
Section
Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science

Copyright (c) 2023 Journal of the Belarusian State University. Mathematics and Informatics

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