1. A method for assessing the image quality of image data, the method executed at least in part by a computer and comprising: acquiring the image data; segmenting the acquired image data into one or more spatial regions; obtaining a plurality of image quality measures for the one or more spatial regions; forming at least one quality vector that comprises two or more of the quality measures for the one or more spatial regions; classifying the at least one quality vector into one of a plurality of predefined quality classes; generating secure assurance data that is representative of the plurality of image quality measures, the quality classification, and the image data; and forming and storing an assured image by associating the secure assurance data with the acquired image data.