DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ACCESS CONTROL AUTHENTICATION FRAMEWORK USING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY FOR SECURING HEALTHCARE RECORDS
Abstract
The healthcare industry has undergone a significant transformation with the digitalization of medical records, leading to enhanced efficiency in patient care and data management. However, this shift has also introduced substantial security challenges, such as unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberattacks, which traditional security measures struggle to address effectively. This research proposes a novel blockchain based access control authentication framework designed to enhance the security and privacy of healthcare records. The framework leverages blockchain's inherent properties—decentralization, immutability, and cryptographic security—to develop a robust and scalable solution that integrates seamlessly with existing healthcare information systems. Key components of the framework include a blockchain network, smart contracts for automated access control, and advanced cryptographic techniques for secure data encryption and identity verification. Comprehensive performance evaluations and security assessments were conducted to demonstrate the framework's effectiveness. Results indicate that the proposed framework offers significant improvements in transaction throughput, latency, system reliability, and compliance with healthcare standards such as HIPAA, compared to traditional access control models. The decentralized architecture eliminates single points of failure, and the immutable audit trail ensures data integrity and accountability. Practical applications in simulated healthcare environments, such as hospitals and telemedicine providers, highlighted the framework's potential to enhance data security, streamline operations, and foster greater trust among patients and providers. Despite challenges related to integration and scalability, the proposed solution represents a substantial advancement in healthcare data security, paving the way for future innovations in digital healthcare infrastructure.
