In digital healthcare systems, there has been an upsurge in the utilization of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) which is raising some concerns on data privacy and security, particularly following the quantum computing innovation. RSA and ECC encryption services, which are the traditional mechanisms, are expected to be rendered useless in light of quantum algorithms, like that of Shor and Grover, which can break classical cryptographic algorithms. This paper introduces a framework of quantum enhanced data security to solve these vulnerabilities, in which Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) are integrated. The suggested model uses the lattice-based encryption (Kyber), post-quantum digital signature (Di lithium), and QKD to secure key exchange. A comparative simulation to classical encryption approaches manifests that the model with innovative frameworks provides the high levels of resilience toward quantum penetrations, a better authentication accuracy and a slight augmentation of access durability. It indicates that the combination of PQC and QKD could be a scalable, persistent, and future-proof solution to the security of sensitive healthcare information under next-generation cyberattacks.
In digital healthcare systems, there has been an upsurge in the utilization of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) which is raising some concerns on data privacy and security, particularly following the quantum computing innovation. RSA and ECC encryption services, which are the traditional mechanisms, are expected to be rendered useless in light of quantum algorithms, like that of Shor and Grover, which can break classical cryptographic algorithms. This paper introduces a framework of quantum enhanced data security to solve these vulnerabilities, in which Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) are integrated. The suggested model uses the lattice-based encryption (Kyber), post-quantum digital signature (Di lithium), and QKD to secure key exchange. A comparative simulation to classical encryption approaches manifests that the model with innovative frameworks provides the high levels of resilience toward quantum penetrations, a better authentication accuracy and a slight augmentation of access durability. It indicates that the combination of PQC and QKD could be a scalable, persistent, and future-proof solution to the security of sensitive healthcare information under next-generation cyberattacks.
The rapid advancement of quantum computing poses a significant threat to current cryptographic standards, particularly those securing electronic health records (EHRs) in healthcare systems.Traditional encryption methods such as RSA, ECC, and AES, while robust against classical attacks, are vulnerable to quantum algorithms like Shor's and Grover's, which can efficiently break cryptographic keys and compromise patient data integrity.As healthcare systems become increasingly interconnected through the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud-based infrastructures, the need for quantum-resistant security mechanisms becomes paramount.Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) emerges as a viable solution to future-proof EHR security by employing lattice-based, hash-based, code-based, and multivariate polynomial cryptographic techniques that remain resistant to quantum attacks.This paper explores the implications of quantum computing on healthcare cybersecurity, emphasizing the vulnerabilities of existing encryption protocols and the necessity of transitioning toward PQC frameworks.Furthermore, we examine the integration of PQC within healthcare infrastructures, focusing on key exchange mechanisms, digital signatures, and end-to-end encryption for secure EHR transactions.Additionally, the study highlights regulatory and compliance considerations, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) PQC standardization efforts and the role of Zero Trust security models in mitigating quantum-era cyber risks.Case studies illustrate successful implementations of PQC in healthcare networks, demonstrating its feasibility and effectiveness in safeguarding sensitive medical information.By adopting quantum-resistant cryptographic standards, healthcare institutions can proactively defend against emerging cyber threats, ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and long-term resilience in the face of quantum computing advancements.
Quantum computers are capable of solving problems that classical computers cannot, particularly in the realm of cryptographic algorithms such as RSA, DSA, and ECC. Post quantum cryptography refers classical cryptographic algorithm that are designed to secure sensitive data. This research explores the application of post-quantum cryptographic techniques in healthcare systems, with a specific focus on integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with Genetic Algorithms (GA) for enhanced key optimization. As quantum computing advances, traditional cryptographic systems employed in health care are more and more vulnerable to being broken. Security of sensitive patient information—like electronic health records (EHRs), diagnostic data, and personally identifiable information— requires strong solutions that can handle future quantum attacks. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) provides a hopeful way forward by employing quantum computer-resistant algorithms. This paper investigates the deployment of PQC methods—e.g., lattice-based, hash-based, and multivariate polynomial cryptography—inside healthcare systems to improve data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It assesses the weaknesses of present encryption technologies and introduces PQC as a necessary update to protect patient information from sophisticated cyberattacks. The study also addresses the interoperability, computational overhead, and infrastructure readiness challenges of implementing PQC in healthcare. By implementing quantum-resilient cryptographic protocols, healthcare facilities are able to future-proof data protection practices and guarantee the safeguarding of patient data in an era governed by quantum computing.
The increasing digitalization of the healthcare system, driven by electronic health records, medical IoT devices, and AI-aided diagnostics, has significantly expanded the attack surface for cyber threats. Although current cryptographic protocols provide sufficient security against classical adversaries, new developments in quantum computing threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of medical information as never before. Shor’s algorithm could break widely used asymmetric encryption systems, and Grover’s algorithm weakens symmetric ones, which could render modern healthcare security systems obsolete. This review provides an in-depth and organized analysis of the evolving quantum threat environment in healthcare ecosystems and of the need to move toward quantum-resilient security architectures. It synthesizes the existing literature on post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and identifies lattice-based, hash-based, multivariate, and code-based algorithms as potentially viable long-term replacements. Moreover, it examines the cybersecurity issues that quantum-enabled attacks pose to medical IoT systems, clinical decision-support systems, wearable sensors, telemedicine systems, and cloud-based health information exchanges. The review also covers hybrid quantum-classical defenses, quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum random number generation (QRNG), and blockchain-based trust systems that aim to make systems resilient to advanced persistent quantum attacks. This paper identifies key gaps and outlines future research directions for developing quantum-secure medical systems. The results highlight the importance of early adoption of PQC standards and a layered cyber defense approach to protect patient privacy, ensure regulatory compliance, and retain trust in next-generation digital medical data communication.
Because many modern healthcare security systems rely on traditional cryptographic primitives that are susceptible to quantum attacks, the quick development of quantum computing poses previously unheard-of risks. With the increasing use of wearable sensors, telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics and distributed clinical databases, as well as the increasing digitisation of healthcare, the need for quantum-resilient protection becomes critical. The integration of quantum and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) as fundamental security measures for upcoming intelligent healthcare ecosystems is thoroughly examined in this chapter. We summarise recent developments in cryptographic standards, secure communication protocols, AI-enabled defence mechanisms and blockchain-based data integrity systems using a PRISMA-guided systematic review. With an emphasis on performance, scalability and resistance to Shor- and Grover-based attacks, we further develop a simulation framework to assess hybrid quantum, classical security architectures under adversarial quantum scenarios. Our results show that while hash-based signatures provide ultra-long-term integrity for genomic and archival medical data, lattice-based PQC schemes, in particular CRYSTALS-Kyber and Dilithium, show strong suitability for electronic health record (EHR) encryption, secure IoMT communication and federated learning aggregation. A unified quantum-resilient architecture incorporating PQC, blockchain consensus, AI-based anomaly detection and quantum key distribution (QKD) is one of the theoretical contributions. In summary, we highlight the potential of quantum homomorphic AI, neuromorphic cryptosystems, quantum biometrics and adaptive threat intelligence to develop a safe, reliable and scalable paradigm for quantum-ready healthcare.
Objective: The authors propose and evaluate a novel cybersecurity architecture for telehealth that is resilient against future quantum computing cyber threats. By integrating post-quantum cryptography (PQC) with quantum key distribution (QKD) and privacy-preserving mechanisms, data confidentiality and immutability for patient records in a post-quantum era are ensured. Methods: A multi-layered design approach was adopted. The PQC algorithms (e.g. CRYSTALS-Dilithium) were integrated at the blockchain consensus layer to resist quantum attacks. A directed acyclic graph (DAG)-based ledger managed high transaction throughput and latency constraints typical of telehealth. A QKD-enhanced key management protocol leveraged quantum channels for secure exchanges. Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and secure multiparty computation (MPC) verified transactions without exposing sensitive patient data. A granular access control model used attribute-based encryption and smart contracts to govern which participants could view or modify encrypted medical records. Results: The prototype was developed within a simulated telehealth network comprising hospitals, clinics, and patient devices. The PQC signatures at the consensus layer provided effective resistance to both classical and anticipated quantum attacks. The QKD facilitated secure key distribution, while ZKPs and MPC enabled validation of healthcare transactions without compromising patient privacy. Despite increased computational overhead, the DAG approach efficiently handled parallel transactions, indicating improved scalability compared to traditional linear blockchains. Conclusion: A QKD-enhanced, PQC-driven framework successfully addresses critical security and privacy requirements, safeguarding medical data from emerging quantum threats. Although overhead and infrastructural costs are significant, sustained cryptographic resilience and robust patient confidentiality underscore its suitability for next-generation healthcare systems. Future studies should explore additional optimizations, homomorphic encryption, and larger-scale pilots under regulatory standards.
With the swift development of healthcare digitization we have access to an exponentially growing amount of extremely sensitive patient data that requires advanced security. However, now with the advent of quantum computing we are faced with a very real risk of exposing medical data in ways we never thought possible through traditional encryption. In this chapter, we will discuss the critical need for quantum-safe encryption to protect against quantum-based attacks on electronic health records, telemedicine communications, and IoT-enabled medical devices. We will review existing cryptography standards (i.e. RSA, ECC) in a post-quantum world, and consider new quantum-resistant algorithms like lattice-based, hash-based, and multivariate algorithms outlined in NIST's Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standardization program. We will also highlight how quantum secure encryption will revolutionize the security of healthcare data in terms of data integrity, privacy protection, and secure communications.