Blockchain for Security and Privacy in the Smart Sensor Network

Abstract

Smart healthcare networks, utilizing sensor technology, have become a revolutionary influence in contemporary healthcare provision, providing instantaneous monitoring, diagnosis, and tailored treatment choices. Nevertheless, the delicate nature of healthcare data gives rise to substantial apprehensions surrounding security and privacy. Conventional centralized methods of data management frequently fail to adequately protect patient information from emerging cyber risks. Blockchain technology offers an attractive answer in this context since it can significantly improve security and privacy in smart healthcare networks. This book chapter examines the utilization of blockchain technology in safeguarding intelligent healthcare networks, specifically emphasizing the protection of sensor data. Smart healthcare networks can attain secure data storage, transparent data sharing, and privacy-preserving measures by utilizing blockchain technology. The decentralized structure of blockchain guarantees the security and integrity of patient data maintained within the network, preventing any unauthorized access or alteration. Blockchain employs cryptographic hashing and consensus procedures to ensure data integrity, offering guarantees regarding the genuineness and unchangeability of sensor data. Moreover, smart contracts facilitate automated and secure transactions by implementing predetermined rules and access limits, thereby safeguarding patient privacy. In addition, blockchain technology offers strong options for maintaining patient confidentiality in intelligent healthcare networks. Zero-knowledge proofs and homomorphic encryption techniques facilitate the secure sharing and analysis of data while maintaining patient confidentiality. Zero-knowledge proofs enable healthcare professionals to authenticate statements without accessing confidential patient information, while homomorphic encryption allows computations to be conducted on encrypted data, ensuring privacy at all stages. Through the incorporation of blockchain technology into intelligent healthcare networks, stakeholders may effectively reduce security vulnerabilities, safeguard patient data, and cultivate confidence among patients and healthcare professionals. Nevertheless, in order to fully harness the benefits of blockchain technology in improving security and privacy in smart healthcare networks, it is crucial to effectively tackle difficulties related to scalability, interoperability, and regulatory compliance. To summarize, blockchain technology provides a promising foundation for tackling the security and privacy issues that are inherent in smart healthcare networks. Blockchain’s decentralized structure, resistance to tampering, and privacy-preserving features enable healthcare institutions to fully utilize sensor data while safeguarding the integrity and security of patient information. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.