This study introduces a hybrid data-hiding methodology integrating multi-stage symmetric encryptionwith2-bitLeast Significant Bit (LSB) image steganography to ensure secure, covert, and reliable digital communication. Theencryptionprocess sequentially applies Caesar cipher, Rail Fence cipher, and Base64 encoding, transforming plaintext intomulti-layeredencrypted binaries before embedding. The steganographic phase replaces the 2 least significant bits of each RGBpixel acrossthe cover image, achieving increased payload capacity while preserving imperceptibility. Experimental evaluationwasconducted on 100 diverse images, each embedding 30-character mixed-content messages (alphabets, numerals, symbols).Quantitative results confirm excellent image quality retention after embedding. Mean Squared Error (MSE) valuesconsistently fall between 0.003–0.005, and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) remains within 0.002–0.004, indicatingminimaldistortion. Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) lies in the 0.05–0.08 range, further supporting low alterationimpact. Mostimportantly, Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) values exceed 71 dB (range 71–74 dB)—far higher thanthe40dBimperceptibility benchmark. Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) and Multi-Scale SSIM (MS-SSIM) reach near 1.0, affirmingnegligible perceptual degradation. Recovery tests achieved a 100% extraction accuracy, proving robustness andreliabilityincovert messaging. This combination of cryptography and steganography enhances resistance against both cryptanalysisandstatistical steganalysis, protecting message content and concealing its existence. The proposed approach is highly applicabletosecure banking transactions, defense communication, digital watermarking, and privacy-protection in e-commerce. Byunitinglayered encryption with low-bit modification steganography, it addresses confidentiality, integrity, and stealthsimultaneously.The methodology further ensures payload efficiency and cross-image adaptability while keeping computational overheadreasonable. Experimental outcomes validate the method as a secure, imperceptible, and robust data-hiding frameworksuitablefor high-security digital exchanges. Keywords: Cryptography and Steganography Integration, Hybrid Data Hiding, Image Quality Metrics, Multi-StageSymmetricEncryption, Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), Secure Digital Communication, Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), Two-BitLSB Steganography