When eHealth meets the internet of things: Pervasive security and privacy challenges

Abstract

eHealth mobile technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in both the personal and medical world, assisting healthcare professionals to monitor the progress and current condition of patients. These devices often gather, transmit and analyse personal data. Healthcare data has rigid requirements for security, confidentiality, and availability, whilst access traceability and control, and long-term preservation are also highly desirable, particularly when exposed to cloud computing environments. This article explores some of the security and privacy challenges eHealth devices currently face. Legislative implications of data breaches are considered, as well as service provider accountability. The work also provides numerous security and privacy recommendations, in order to improve future implementations.