Secure Cloud-Based E-Healthcare System Using Ciphertext-Policy Identity-Based Encryption (CP-IBE)

Abstract

Healthcare organizations are adopting Electronic Health Record (EHR) for better and fast services. Due to flexibility, security, and efficiency, cloud data storage has become a frequent alternative for deploying EHR systems. Several cryptography techniques provide security to cloud user’s data by encrypting and decrypting data for intended users. The present paper proposes Ciphertext-Policy Identity-based Encryption (CP-IBE) as a cryptographic technique for cloud data. CP-IBE is combination of data encryption and identity-based approach. It is enhanced by integrating CP-IBE algorithm with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) that gives a novel scheme for public-key cryptography known as Ciphertext-Policy Identity-based Elliptic Curve Cryptography (CP-IBE-ECC). Torsion point concept is used in the Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) system. An elliptic curve is the formation of curve under an algebraic set of coordinates which does not intersect with other points during curve formation. This merit makes us define a new security model in healthcare applications. None of the studies has explored the merits of applying torsion points on key distribution system. It provides dynamic data support, efficiency, security as well as privacy for E-Healthcare System. This system focus on storing and maintaining the Health Records of patients electronically so refer these records as EHR. The EHRs are migrated to the cloud data centers in order to prevent medical errors and to have efficient storage and access to those records. IBE encryption technique is also applied in order to make EHRs more secure. The Shared Nearest Neighbor (SNN) clustering is applied to resolve the issues with attribute clustering. SNN works on estimating the nearest neighbors for the most shared attributes and then clusters the records.