Title: Blockchain-based EHR storage and access control system

Authors: Sunil Gupta; Akansha Bansiya; Mansi Saini; Amuleek Sidhu

Addresses: Department of Cybernetics, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India ' Department of Cybernetics, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India ' Department of Cybernetics, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India ' Department of Cybernetics, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India

Abstract: Medical records of patients are stored digitally as electronic health record (EHR) for maintaining large data and easy accessibility from anywhere. Medical data is highly confidential and must not be tampered with because it affects the treatment given to patients, and if the data is tampered with, it may lead to the wrong medication. There are some technical challenges and vulnerabilities to storage and access of EHRs in cloud databases. Major challenges include ensuring confidentiality, privacy and integrity while sharing medical records with other users/doctors. Patient does not have complete ownership over their medical records. Even if access control is applied, there are chances of data leak if an adversary gets access to the database in which EHRs are stored. Other than this, a proper history of EHR access and update should be maintained and patient's permission should be required while editing his/her records to ensure that data is not edited by an unauthorised person or by an adversary. In this paper we will discuss some approaches to overcome the above-mentioned challenges and ensure complete control of owner over their medical records.

Keywords: electronic health record; EHR; access control; blockchain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICS.2023.131098

International Journal of Information and Computer Security, 2023 Vol.21 No.1/2, pp.70 - 81

Received: 15 Jul 2021
Accepted: 16 Nov 2021
Published online: 26 May 2023 *

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