Protecting medical data: How cryptographic innovation is strengthening EHR security

The study identifies that while EHR systems streamline healthcare operations, they remain vulnerable to data breaches due to inadequate encryption mechanisms and authentication loopholes. To address these issues, Sabonchi proposes a three-layered cryptographic framework. The LOA is employed to generate optimized private keys for ECC, ensuring a robust security architecture.

As healthcare systems around the world transition to digital platforms, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have become indispensable in medical care. EHRs facilitate the seamless sharing of patient information among healthcare providers, reducing redundancies and improving treatment outcomes. However, this digital transformation has also introduced significant cybersecurity challenges. The risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber threats has escalated, making the protection of sensitive medical data a critical concern.

In their study titled "Securing Electronic Health Records with Cryptography and Lion Optimization," researcher Arkan Kh Shakr Sabonchi from the Department of Mathematics at the Open Educational College, Kirkuk, Iraq, explores an advanced cryptographic model to enhance the security of EHR systems. Published in the Journal of Cyber Security in 2025, the paper presents a novel approach integrating the Lion Optimization Algorithm (LOA), Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), and the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-256). This hybrid method is designed to optimize encryption key generation, improve computational efficiency, and fortify data security against cyber threats.

Enhancing EHR security with cryptographic integration

The study identifies that while EHR systems streamline healthcare operations, they remain vulnerable to data breaches due to inadequate encryption mechanisms and authentication loopholes. To address these issues, Sabonchi proposes a three-layered cryptographic framework. The LOA is employed to generate optimized private keys for ECC, ensuring a robust security architecture. The SHA-256 algorithm further reinforces data integrity by verifying information authenticity and detecting any tampering attempts during data transmission.

Lion Optimization Algorithm (LOA) is a bio-inspired metaheuristic technique modeled after the hunting and territorial defense behaviors of lions. By leveraging LOA, the system enhances cryptographic key efficiency, enabling faster encryption and decryption times. The study's empirical results show that this novel approach outperforms traditional encryption methods, achieving an 18.89% improvement in processing speed compared to conventional techniques such as ECC-GA-SHA-256.

Performance evaluation and comparative analysis

A rigorous performance evaluation was conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed cryptographic model. The study compares the encoding and decoding times of the new framework against existing encryption methods like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman). Results indicate that the LOA-based model significantly reduces computational overhead while maintaining strong security levels. For example, encoding a 50MB file using the proposed model required 4.69 seconds, whereas AES took 7.01 seconds and RSA required 460.91 seconds. Similarly, the decoding times also demonstrated superior efficiency, making the new approach a viable option for real-time healthcare applications.

Another notable advantage of the proposed model is its resistance to common cyber threats, including brute force attacks and side-channel exploits. The study emphasizes that the combination of LOA and ECC not only enhances security but also ensures better scalability and adaptability in resource-constrained environments such as mobile healthcare systems and cloud-based medical data storage.

Future implications and ethical considerations

The research underscores the necessity for robust encryption protocols in safeguarding patient privacy while enabling efficient healthcare delivery. As global regulations, including GDPR and HIPAA, tighten their mandates on health data security, cryptographic advancements like the LOA-ECC-SHA-256 model offer promising solutions for compliance and patient confidentiality.

However, ethical considerations must be addressed to ensure transparency in AI-driven security measures. Healthcare providers and policymakers must establish standardized guidelines for encryption key management, access control, and data-sharing policies to mitigate risks associated with algorithmic decision-making. Furthermore, continued research in quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques may be necessary to future-proof EHR security against evolving cyber threats.

In conclusion, Sabonchi’s study provides a forward-thinking approach to securing electronic health records through an optimized cryptographic model. By leveraging the computational efficiency of LOA alongside ECC and SHA-256, this research presents a scalable, high-performance solution for healthcare data security. As the adoption of EHRs accelerates, integrating such advanced security frameworks will be crucial in safeguarding sensitive patient information and ensuring the resilience of digital healthcare infrastructure.