The gyrator transform (GT) is used for images processing in applications of light propagation. We propose new image processing operators based on the GT, these operators are: Generalized shift, convolution and correlation. The generalized shift is given by a simultaneous application of a spatial shift and a modulation by a pure linear phase term. The new operators of convolution and correlation are defined using the GT. All these image processing operators can be used in order to design and implement new optical image processing systems based on the GT. The sampling theorem for images whose resulting GT has finite support is developed and presented using the previously defined operators. Finally, we describe and show the results for an optical image encryption system using a nonlinear joint transform correlator and the proposed image processing operators based on the GT.