A Conceptual Framework for Enhancing Healthcare Data Security Using Blockchain and AI

The rapid digitalization of healthcare systems has led to an unprecedented accumulation of sensitive patient data across various platforms, exposing the industry to growing risks of data breaches, unauthorized access, and integrity compromise. Ensuring the security, privacy, and trustworthiness of healthcare data is paramount to maintaining patient confidentiality and enhancing clinical decision-making. This study proposes a conceptual framework that synergistically integrates Blockchain technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance healthcare data security. The framework is designed to address key challenges such as data integrity, access control, real-time threat detection, and secure interoperability across healthcare stakeholders. Blockchain, with its decentralized and immutable ledger capabilities, provides a robust foundation for tamper-proof data storage and transparent audit trails. Smart contracts are employed to automate access controls and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. AI, on the other hand, plays a critical role in intelligent threat detection and anomaly monitoring. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, the framework can identify suspicious patterns, detect insider threats, and predict potential breaches in real time. The proposed architecture comprises four core components: Secure data ingestion, blockchain-based data storage, AI-powered analytics, and a privacy-preserving access management layer. The framework also incorporates role-based authentication and homomorphic encryption techniques to enhance data privacy while supporting authorized data sharing. Case scenarios such as electronic health record (EHR) exchange and remote patient monitoring are used to demonstrate the practicality and scalability of the model. This integrated approach not only ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of healthcare data but also fosters trust among patients, providers, and regulatory bodies. The framework aligns with global healthcare data standards and complies with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR. Future directions include the deployment of federated learning models to further decentralize AI training while maintaining data privacy across institutions.