Security and privacy issues in wireless sensor networks for healthcare

Abstract

Background –The design and development of wearable sensors enable user to monitor physiological data using wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in healthcare. Problem –healthcare applications based on WSNs are not addressing security and privacy issues. Effect –A healthcare system using a sensor network can subject to the privacy breach of the patients as the sensitive data may be exposed to a malicious party. Serious security threats might compromise the healthcare service, disabling patients to avail healthcare facilities. Contribution –(a) An overview of the status of security requirements in various WSNs healthcare application. (b) An overview of potential security and privacy threats that can compromise the normal functionality of a WSNs healthcare system. (c) We also present a study on the existing security mechanisms to safeguard WSNs healthcare system.