Impact of Blockchain on the Security and Privacy of IoT-Empowered Healthcare Systems

Abstract

Today, the internet of things (IoT) enables the network of all physical things or objects that are embedded in sensors to be efficiently operated and maintained. The sensed data can be used for the purposes of disease analysis and diagnosis. Furthermore, the sensed data can be exchanged with other devices in the network. However, several factors can limit the adoption and implementation of IoT. These factors include the cost of operations and maintenance, reliability and hardware, connectivity, ease of integration, quality control, and skills development. Firstly, this study focuses on the security challenges of IoT; hence, a blockchain is employed as a way of ensuring the security of devices in the network. Furthermore, the impact of blockchain on IoMT is studied. Afterwards, this study also highlights the current state of blockchain for healthcare systems; IoT in healthcare and use cases; ethical and regulatory considerations of IoT in healthcare. Finally, IoT and blockchain implications and recommendations for future research in healthcare are discussed.