Security of Healthcare Data Using Blockchains

Advances in the healthcare sector are entering into a new era in the form of Health 4.0. The integration of innovative technologies like Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Big Data, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, and Blockchain with Healthcare services has led to improved performance and efficiency through data-based learning and interconnection of systems. On the other hand, it has also increased complexities and has brought its own share of vulnerabilities due to the heavy influx, sharing and storage of healthcare data. Its protection from cyberattacks along with privacy preservation through authenticated access is one of the significant challenges for the healthcare sector. For this purpose, the use of blockchain-based networks can lead to a considerable reduction in the vulnerabilities of the healthcare systems and secure their data. This chapter explores blockchain’s role in strengthening healthcare data security by answering the questions related to what data to use, when we need, why we need, who needs, and how state-of-the-art techniques use blockchains to secure healthcare data. As a case study, we also explore and analyze the state-of-the-art implementations for blockchain in healthcare data security for the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to provide a path for the direction of future research, we identify and discuss the technical limitations and regulatory challenges associated with blockchain-based healthcare data security implementation. This chapter explores blockchain’s role in strengthening healthcare data security by answering the questions related to what data to use, when we need, why we need, who needs, and how state-of-the-art techniques use blockchains to secure healthcare data. It analyzes the state-of-the-art implementations for blockchain in healthcare data security for the Covid-19 pandemic. The chapter provides an understanding of the healthcare data types and their managing institutions. Healthcare data-related services are classified as medical-related services, distribution services and commercial activity-related services. The chapter explains the different security issues present when using conventional healthcare data storage and management systems. The ownership decisions related to healthcare data, such as access control, access rights and modification privileges, are a significant issue affecting the security and privacy of healthcare data storage systems. The security of healthcare data is essential for the stakeholders in