Abstract
Nonlinear confusion component is one of the most important part of any modern cipher. The strength and robustness of modern cryptosystem are subjected to the cryptographic properties of this nonlineaer confusion component namely S-boxes. The principle aim of this article is twofold. Firstly, we have anticipated an innovative approach of producing S-boxes by employing the Cuckoo search algorithm (CSA) an alternative to algebraic and chaotic generation of S-boxes. Secondly, we have also proposed a new encryption technique for information confidentiality of digital color images. The suggested image encryption technique is based on generated S-boxes and Arnold map. The projected information privacy mechanism is verified against a variety of cryptographic characteristics.