Blockchain-Enabled, Post-Quantum Cryptographic Framework for Securing Electronic Health Records: A Next-Generation Approach to Healthcare Data Protection

Abstract

The fast digital transformation of healthcare systems has brought electronic health records (EHRs) into wide usage to enhance patient care and provide better data access. The need for better security grows more pungent as cybersecurity and quantum computing threats against traditional cryptographic approaches become more prevalent. This paper develops a Blockchain-Enabled Post-Quantum Cryptographic framework for protecting EHRs. The combination of blockchain technology with PQC safeguards healthcare data through decentralised distribution, unalterable data storage, and complete system transparency, and PQC prevents anticipated quantum computing vulnerabilities. Security and privacy improve in the proposed framework by combining lattice-based cryptography, hash-based signatures, and zero-knowledge proofs. Smart contracts enable the framework to enforce access policies and maintain regulatory compliance through its functionality. A performance analysis of this framework shows it can effectively secure EHRs through efficient and scalable implementation. The research demonstrates that PQC and blockchain offer healthcare organisations a secure protection solution for EHRs that fights evolving cyber threats within trustworthy healthcare systems.