Digital Data Security Using a Combination of Base64 Encoding, Rail Fence Cipher, and GZIP Compression

Abstract

Digital data security is essential in protecting sensitive information in the current information era. This research implements a hybrid security approach by combining Base64 encoding, the Rail Fence cipher, and GZIP compression. Base64 encoding converts digital files into a standardized text format for easier processing, while the Rail Fence cipher applies transposition to further scramble the encoded data, enhancing confidentiality. GZIP compression reduces file size while adding a layer of complexity, making unauthorized data recovery more difficult. The experiment involved ten trials using files with extensions such as XLSX, DOCX, JPG, PDF, and PPTX. Pearson correlation analysis revealed coefficients close to 0.00 or slightly negative, indicating no significant correlation between plaintext and ciphertext, which signifies strong data randomness and security. Additionally, GZIP compression achieved an average file size reduction of approximately 1 KB, although some smaller files showed minimal compression effects. Overall, the combined method effectively enhances both data security and storage efficiency.