Security Issues on Wireless Body Area Network for Remote Healthcare Monitoring

Abstract

A case study of security risk analysis of a wireless body area network for remote health monitoring as a after measure fordeploying security and privacy features is introduced in this paper. The target system has a scalable platform that requires minimum human interaction during setup and monitoring. The core components of the system include: (i) biosensor/transceiver pairs, (ii) hardware modules to automatically setup the wireless body area network, (iii) data delivery mechanism to an internet sever, and (iv) automatic data collection, profiling and reporting. As the system contains personal health records that require high level of security when the records are being shared and transferred to health professionals and service providers. We assess security risk based on this critical needs of acknowledged risks and threats in the real time remote health monitoring system.

Ubiquitous Health Monitoring Systems: Addressing Security Concerns

“…Therefore, due to the sensitive nature of this information, there is an obvious need to secure these data during their collections, transmissions and even their storages. Yao et al (2010) agree with Lim et al (2010) on the necessity to secure the transmission between RFID tags and the local server. On the other hand, Bluetooth encryption E0 techniques were used for securing the connection between the hub and the mobile device in the study presented Barnickel et al (2010).…”

“…In order for this technology (U-health monitoring technology) to become feasible, a number of challenges are facing its presence. These challenges are related to the deployment of this technology (Lim et al, 2010) and to issues such as resource constraints, user mobility, cost, heterogeneity of devices, scalability, security and privacy. While Znati (2005) believes that challenges associated to sensor technology features also exist, such as Quality of Service (QoS), low power consumption and security of the wireless devices.…”

“…Acharya (2010) in his study on security issues in healthcare networks believes that the information collected from various sensors and devices planted in the house should be controlled and accessed via a single access point. While, Lim et al (2010) used a case study which illustrate and analyze the security risks of a wireless body area network for remote health monitoring. In their experiment, devices were embedded inside the body of a patient.…”

“…They further point out that in these sorts of systems, it is important to have an efficient monitoring and reporting system. Moreover, many wireless monitoring devices used for the transmission of data between sensors and the local server, such as Bluetooth and zigbee, were also proposed in this study Lim et al, 2010. However, the authors believed that these technologies weren't developed originally to accommodate real time, high speed and continuous data transfer applications and therefore, further care and work must be done.…”

“…Lim et al, 2010 see that prior to the real world deployment of the remote healthcare monitoring system, security and privacy risk should be considered and securing the medical data of patients must also be addressed. Further, they state that there is a need to provide users with security and privacy settings into the remote health system before introducing this system to real world.…”