Leveraging Blockchain and Proxy Re-Encryption to secure Medical IoT Records
Abstract
The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare has revolutionized patient monitoring and data collection, allowing real-time tracking of vital signs, remote diagnostics, and automated medical responses. However, the transmission and storage of sensitive medical data introduce significant security and privacy challenges. To address these concerns, blockchain technology provides a decentralized and immutable ledger that ensures data integrity, , and transparency. Unlike public blockchains, private blockchains are permissioned; the access is granted only to authorized participants; they are more suitable for handling confidential healthcare data. Although blockchain ensures security and trust, it lacks built-in mechanisms to support flexible and controlled data sharing; This is where Proxy Re-Encryption (PRE) comes into play. PRE is a cryptographic technique that allows encrypted data to be re-encrypted for a new recipient without exposing it to intermediaries. We propose an architecture integrating private blockchain and PRE to enable secure, traceable, and privacy-preserving data sharing in IoT-based healthcare systems. Blockchain guarantees tamper proof record-keeping, while PRE enables fine-grained access control, allowing medical professionals to securely share patient data without compromising confidentiality. This combination creates a robust security framework that enhances trust and efficiency in digital healthcare ecosystems.