Software architecture for real-time steganography in auditive media

Different steganographic algorithms follow the same principle: secret data is hidden in a cover medium. Because of such similarities, a universal software framework is feasible, which minimizes the effort of using different steganographic algorithms in different environments. In this paper, we advocate a novel generic software architecture for hiding data in auditive media. Because of its generic nature, our architecture allows for various uses of steganographic techniques on diverse fields of application. Replacing one embedding algorithm by another or changing the cover media, which is used to transport the steganographic channel, becomes as easy as adopting the instantiation of an object or even simply adjusting some lines in a configuration file. Beginning with mentioning the requirements for auditive steganography, involved components are identified. These are arranged in a layered model, which delivers the basis for the then presented software architecture. The results of our working implemenation are outlined and further usage scenarios of this flexible software framework are given in relation to future research.