Blockchain technology enables reliable and transparent data management. This offers many advantages in healthcare
In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in blockchain: this technology can provide greater security and efficiency in the management of information, making it the preferred solution for data processing, especially in the health sector.
We take a closer look at the features of blockchain and how fiber optics can make its applications more scalable.
- What blockchain is and how it works
- The advantages of blockchain
- Blockchain and the FTTH fiber-optic network: more reliability and security
What blockchain is and how it works
Blockchain is a decentralised distributed technology belonging to the so-called Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs). These electronic registers are arranged on nodes, where information is protected through a series of protocols.
Ledger management is decentralised through a set of consensus algorithms that unite the participants: all nodes must agree on valid transactions. Blockchain is a type of DLT in which data are collected and linked through a time sequence and entered into the ledger. Once entered, the information cannot be changed because each piece of information is linked to previous transactions.
The use of blockchain makes it possible to securely manage and update a register containing information, in a shared, distributed manner and without the need for third-party control and verification.
Its main features are:
- Transparency: the content of the registers is open and accessible to all members of the networkNetwork In computer language, the term network defines a set of hardware and software devices which, when linked together, enable the exchange and sharing of resources, data or information. In a computer network, the devices that generate, route and terminate data are called network nodes.
- Immutability: once the data is entered, it cannot be changed without first obtaining the network’s consent, reducing the possibility of counterfeiting
- Decentralisation: information is distributed over several nodes to make the system more secure and resilient
- Disintermediation: since the registry updates itself, transactions can be handled without recourse to a third party, while retaining the advantages of security and transparency
The advantages of blockchain
The use of blockchain technologies offers important advantages for process management in various fields, from agribusiness to healthcare. Since the latter is an area that offers a wide variety of services, blockchain’s versatility opens up different opportunities for each use case.
For doctors
A registry with blockchain is first and foremost a tool to optimise the management of professional certifications and identities. The use of distributed ledgers makes it possible to operate from different facilities, without data loss or tampering, strengthening the relationship of trust between doctor and patient.
For patients
The possibility to securely control personal data and manage consents is the main advantage of blockchain for patients. This is complemented by the automatic generation of information through data collection from mobile or wearable devices, for which conditions for use and processing are already established.
For hospitals
The large volume of data produced by hospitals needs to be efficiently managed with a minimum margin of error. Distributed registers guarantee data integrity even in the case of interoperability between different systems, and also allow for automated management of informed consent.
For pharmaceutical and biomedical companies
No possibility of drug counterfeiting and more efficient supply chain management are the main advantages for pharmaceutical or biomedical companies. Moreover, the use of DLTs enables more effective post-sales monitoring and faster identification of any compromised batches or faulty equipment.
A further application of blockchain to pharmaceuticals is the secure and automated management of clinical trials on drugs in development.
Blockchain and the FTTHFTTH “Fiber to the Home” is the technology that connects POPs, located in exchanges, to end users’ property units with fiber optics. fiber-optic network: more reliability and security
FTTH fiber optics such as that of Open Fiber allows blockchain technologies to be used in a more efficient and scalable way.
Fast response times allow for real-time transmission of information, making the processes of updating transactions within blocks more efficient. This feature allows any faults or tampering attempts to be detected at the exact moment they occur, further increasing the security of the transmitted information.
This is coupled with the structural advantages of fiber optic, which is immune to electromagnetic interference or bandwidth loss. This ensures the maximum efficiency of the InternetInternet The word comes from the fusion of the English terms international and net, i.e. international network. This term refers to the worldwide computer network that users all over the world can access via a computer to transmit and share data and information. connection to support transactions at all times.
The FTTH network and the use of blockchain enable higher-level services in healthcare, an area where accurate and reliable data management is crucial for patients’ health.