Impact of Blockchain on the Security and Privacy of IoT-Empowered Healthcare Systems

Impact of Blockchain on the Security and Privacy of IoT-Empowered Healthcare Systems

Ayodeji Samuel Makinde, Samuel Omaji, Abayomi O. Agbeyangi, Mayowa Samuel Alade
Copyright: © 2023 |Pages: 31
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-8913-0.ch014
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Abstract

Today, the internet of things (IoT) enables the network of all physical things or objects that are embedded in sensors to be efficiently operated and maintained. The sensed data can be used for the purposes of disease analysis and diagnosis. Furthermore, the sensed data can be exchanged with other devices in the network. However, several factors can limit the adoption and implementation of IoT. These factors include the cost of operations and maintenance, reliability and hardware, connectivity, ease of integration, quality control, and skills development. Firstly, this study focuses on the security challenges of IoT; hence, a blockchain is employed as a way of ensuring the security of devices in the network. Furthermore, the impact of blockchain on IoMT is studied. Afterwards, this study also highlights the current state of blockchain for healthcare systems; IoT in healthcare and use cases; ethical and regulatory considerations of IoT in healthcare. Finally, IoT and blockchain implications and recommendations for future research in healthcare are discussed.
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Background

Blockchain technology is a decentralized, distributed ledger that enables secure and transparent transactions (Ratta et al., 2021). It uses cryptography to ensure the integrity and immutability of data, making it a suitable technology for storing and sharing sensitive information such as medical records. Blockchain technology also enables the creation of smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between participants being directly written into lines of code (Sharma et al., 2021). The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the interconnectedness of physical devices, such as smartphones, wearables, and medical devices, through the Internet. IoT devices are equipped with sensors that can collect data and transmit it to the internet for analysis and storage. In healthcare, IoT devices are used for remote monitoring of patients, tracking of medical equipment, and management of healthcare facilities. The integration of blockchain technology and IoT in healthcare has the potential to improve the security, privacy, and interoperability of medical data. Blockchain technology can ensure that medical data is secure, private, and accessible only to authorized parties. Whereas IoT devices provide real-time monitoring of patients and collect data that can be stored on the blockchain. This enables healthcare providers to make more informed decisions and improve the quality of care. Additionally, the integration of blockchain technology and IoT enables the creation of new business models and revenue streams for healthcare providers (Ratta et al., 2021; Sharma et al., 2021). However, there are also challenges and limitations to the integration of these technologies in healthcare, such as regulatory compliance and interoperability issues. The objectives of this study are outlined as follows:

  • 1.

    To discuss the impact of blockchain technology on the security and privacy of IoT-enabled healthcare systems

  • 2.

    To discuss the current state of implementation and deployment of blockchain technology and IoT in healthcare

  • 3.

    To discuss IoT in healthcare use cases

  • 4.

    To discuss the ethical and regulatory challenges related to the integration of blockchain technology and IoT in healthcare

  • 5.

    To discuss the challenges and barriers to implementing and deploying IoT and blockchain in healthcare

  • 6.

    To provide possible future developments in the field of blockchain technology and IoT-enabled healthcare systems

Purpose and Scope of the Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the current state of blockchain technology and IoT in healthcare and to analyze their potential impact on the healthcare system. The study will explore the challenges and limitations of integrating IoT and blockchain in healthcare, as well as the ethical and regulatory considerations that must be taken into account. Real-world examples and case studies of the integration of blockchain technology and IoT in healthcare will be analyzed in order to understand their impacts on healthcare systems. Additionally, the study will provide recommendations for future research in the field in order to further develop and improve the integration of blockchain technology and IoT in healthcare.

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