Blockchain-Enhanced Authentication Protocol for Secure Data Transmission in Wearable Health Monitoring Systems

Abstract

Wearable health monitoring systems (WHMS) are revolutionizing healthcare by enabling real-time tracking of patients' vital signs. However, the increased reliance on these devices introduces significant security challenges, particularly regarding the transmission of sensitive health data to cloud-based systems. This paper proposes a novel blockchain-enhanced authentication protocol to secure data transmission in WHMS. By integrating lightweight cryptographic algorithms with blockchain technology, the proposed system ensures data integrity, privacy, and security while minimizing computational overhead on resource-constrained devices. The protocol addresses common cyber threats such as phishing, replay attacks, and man-in-the-middle attacks, providing robust protection for user credentials and health data. Extensive performance evaluations show that the optimized authentication process significantly reduces authentication time, energy consumption, and blockchain transaction speed, ensuring scalability and efficiency for real-world applications.