QSDA: Quantum-Safe Mobile Sequencing Data Authorization Scheme to Facilitate Cancer Research and Treatment

Abstract

Cancer disease is a major health problem in every country, which places an enormous burden on public healthcare systems. Mobile sequencing of biological samples provides immediate data streaming for rapid and actionable results regardless of geographical location. It accelerates cancer research and provides better treatment for patients. However, this data-sharing system encounters certain challenges in terms of security and privacy, especially emerging threats from quantum computing. Various anti-quantum cryptographic approaches have been proposed to address these security challenges. In this article, the author cryptanalyzes the SKEBA scheme recently introduced by Adeli et al. and finds that the scheme has certain security weaknesses, such as vulnerability to denial of services attacks and insider attacks. Based on a lattice-based encryption method constructed by square basis matrices, an improved quantum-safe mobile sequencing data authorization (QSDA) scheme is proposed to address identified vulnerabilities of the SKEBA. The proposed QSDA with a three-factor authentication mechanism is also applied to secure the communication system of the cancer research environment introduced by the author. Security analysis shows that the QSDA is secure against both classical and quantum attacks. The scheme requires lower computation and storage costs while achieving an over 17.69% reduction in communication costs with more security features than related works. Proposing a secure sequencing data authorization approach, this work contributes to finding more effective ways to treat disease and protect our society.