Cyber security and Blockchain for Quality Management Systems in Healthcare

Abstract

The current pace of digitalization in the healthcare system is becoming dependent upon Electronic Health Records (EHRs), the Internet of Things (IoT), telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI), but data privacy, security and regulatory compliance have enabled vastly increased exposure of vulnerabilities in the process. The current text looks into ways through which cybersecurity and blockchain technology can enhance Quality Management Systems (QMS) in healthcare therefore offering a certain level of protection to patient information as well as improving the way things are done and enabling the clinicians to be in a better position to deliver a better service. The focus is on cyberattacks multidimensional risks, outdated information systems that do not allow developing the modern performance of the systems, and insider threats, as well as fast-developing legal regulations HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO/IEC 27001. Its use in provision of tamper-proof data infrastructure, immutable audit trail, decentralized trust, and automated compliance within the smart contracts provide an insight of the role that it will play. The examples of such platforms as Hyperledger and MedRec on case study contain three instances of implementing platforms in the real world, managing patient information, supply chain control, and rule enforcement. However, the report also identifies some important technical, regulatory and organization barriers, such as barriers to scalability, conflicts between GDPR and blockchain, and lack of staff in cybersecurity and blockchain skills. The research, therefore, suggests a systemic and forward-looking perspective on introducing cybersecurity and blockchain into the QMS, hoping to encourage the more sustainable, transparent, and patient-oriented digital healthcare ecosystem in the future.