Blockchain: Data Security solution for every Industry

Posted by Parija Rangnekar On Filed under Blockchain App Development No Comments
Blockchain: Data Security solution for every Industry
mobile app development
With technology creeping into our professional and personal lives, data security has become of paramount importance. Statistics suggest that about 6 billion confidential files have been stolen just between the years 2017 and 2018. We again seek technology to solve the issues related to data security, which have been aroused by technology itself. Blockchain cybersecurity is the perfect solution. Blockchain development has solved many other industry problems related to business transactions. It provides greater data security with strong encryptions, minimal vulnerabilities, and effective data ownership. It is now being used across every industry including food industry, financial services sector, healthcare, oil& gas industry, and shipping & logistics. Every industry that deals with data and transaction is looking forward to Blockchain as a solution for data security.

What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is shared ledger that records and tracks the transaction in any business network. It also tracks the tangible and intangible assets to ensure the authenticity of every transaction. It is a fast and transparent platform of information, stored on an immutable ledger that can only be accessed by authorized members of that business network. The entire platform is very transparent and members have the access to the information of end-to-end transactions. One single person cannot make changes to the Blockchain system, making it tamper-proof.

Characteristics of Blockchain

The use of Blockchain technology in multiple industries is primarily because of its security-based features. Key characteristics of Blockchain are:
  • Digital ledger: Copies of all the information are shared with all the members. Participants validate information independently without any central authority. Any error by one member at one node does affect the other nodes in the network.
  • Digital platform: Completely digitized framework eliminates the need for manual paperwork which is susceptible to errors and damages.
  • Chronology: Information about every transaction is stored in blocks and each block is connected in a chronological chain. Thus, the system of records is maintained with a time-stamp.
  • Cryptographic security: The blocks are cryptographically sealed, making them resistant to edit, delete, and copy actions, creating a high level of trusted business network.
  • Consensus–based: Any transaction requires unanimous approval of all the parties of the network. This makes Blockchain a very transparent framework.

How Blockchain Improves Data-Security

blockchain app development services
Data security is one of the leading Blockchain use cases in every sector. The distributed ledger is based on a dispersed public key infrastructure model that secures every stored data.

Data encryption

All the information of a transaction is stored in blocks using cryptography. Every participant of the network is given a private key to be used as a digital signature. Each block is time-stamped and contains the cryptographic hash of the previous block. These hash values are unique to maintain the integrity of the system. Any alternation in the record makes this personal signature invalid and the peer network gets the notification that there has been an undesired altercation, raising a red flag for the malpractice. Every data in a transaction is very secure. This security makes unauthorized data modification very difficult.

Decentralization data storage system

The decentralized system makes Blockchain independent of association with any centralized system or organization. It runs on a peer-to-peer network without involving any central server. This reduces the dependency and trust on the other members of the network. This also cuts down any chances of any one member getting authority over the system. The creation and storage of any data in Blockchain is only dependent on the tamper-proof technology and not individuals.

Enhanced trust with smart contracts

Smart contracts in Blockchain ensure that the programs only run after the predetermined conditions are met. The execution can be automated to ensure no third-party interference. This increases the trust in the system and the transaction. The contracts and assets are tested using access control, business logic, authentication to instill greater confidence in the participants.

Data portability

Blockchain offers decentralized identifiers that help the users in retaining control of their identity. They can move their digital identity from one blockchain system to other. The user can reuse the uploaded data at their discretion. The user can directly connect with the service provider and address the issues of ‘switching costs’ in data portability. Blockchain is a perfect solution for personal data management where the user can change the location of the data without losing its integrity.

Secure Communication with Blockchain

All other network communication frameworks have community interactions with the dependency on intermediary institutions which is susceptible to failure. A Blockchain based-framework offers communication security with data encryption, distributed ledger, smart contracts, and other security features. There are many other security features such as pattern-matching schemes to detect inappropriate files. Every transaction and asset including data is time-stamped to trace its chronology. Blockchain is about a higher level of authentication, non-repudiation and integrity.

Blockchain Security and Implementation Tips

Blockchain framework is of different types and their application depends on the infrastructure of the organization. Certain factors need to be chalked out before choosing a Blockchain framework.
  • The governance model of the organization
  • The data for each block
  • Relevant regulatory requirements and methods to meet them
  • Identity and keys management
  • Disaster recovery plan
  • Minimal security posture for the participants
  • Mechanism to resolve block collisions in Blockchain
The risks of the Blockchain security model need to be identified to reap maximum advantage. A risk model should be prepared to address all the challenges in governance, business, process, and technology. Next, a threat model should be prepared to evaluate the threats to the desired blockchain security framework. The security controls to manage these risks and threats should be established to start with the implementation of private Blockchain.

Conclusion

There are certain challenges that Blockchain faces with its implementation across the complicated internet-based infrastructure. However, it cannot be denied that it can serve as the standard solution for standing cyber security issues. Blockchain has immense capability to mitigate cyber security vulnerabilities. The IT decision-makers should keep inculcating the appropriate and latest developments in Blockchain to get the best results from its implementation. They also have to keep a tab on the industry and application framework for proper implementation of Blockchain. We are one of the established software development companies with long list of clientele for Blockchain application. We can help you in building the best Blockchain application for your enterprise. Contact us today to own a robust and sustainable blockchain application.

All-inclusive Guide on Hiring Healthcare App Developers!

Posted by Parija Rangnekar On Filed under Full-stack Developer No Comments
All-inclusive Guide on Hiring Healthcare App Developers!
healthcare app development
The ever-increasing patient expectations, the emergence of innovative technologies, and tough competition amongst healthcare service providers have fuelled up the need for healthcare digitalization. And, the rapid adoption of smart medical equipment and software solutions by medical facilities has given rise to the trend of hiring healthcare app developers.
However, hiring developers for tailoring a suitable app/solution for your medical practice is not as easy as it sounds. While the right solution created by skilled developers can bring a lot to the table and boost your ROI; the wrong development methodology or a single developmental error can lead to huge disappointments, costly rework, and heavy losses. Hence, you need to choose your healthcare app development team with care.
This post provides you with all-inclusive guidance on hiring the right set of developers for your upcoming healthcare app development project.

Healthcare App Development Strategy: In-house Team or Freelancers or Outsourcing Agency?

In-house Team

If you plan to engage an in-house team of developers to build your healthcare software system, coordination will be outstanding. But you will face issues like high infrastructure & administrative costs, a limited talent pool, and loads of time and effort on team management.

Freelancers

Hiring freelancers may be the cheapest and most convenient option as it rules out any hiring hassles. Nevertheless, freelance developers are not so reliable and are likely to back out of the project mid-way, leaving you in deep waters.

Outsourcing Agency

Outsourcing software developers or development companies is the most popular and profitable approach as it comes with countless benefits. This approach allows you to choose from a wide range of talented healthcare app developers from across the globe, flexible hiring models like the pay-as-you-go option, more experienced teams, end-to-end product development cycles, and many more. Moreover, the Healthcare provider can entrust the IT development responsibility to partner firms and focus on their core industrial operations. Here, you get an entire development team or independent developers depending on your requirement.
This approach too has minor downsides like communication woes, time differences, and language barriers. But these issues can be easily avoided if you pick an experienced healthcare app development company with a good track record, maintain transparent communication throughout the development process, and enter into contractual agreements beforehand.

Hiring Healthcare App developers: Generic Factors to Consider

hipaa compliance app developmnt

Background Research

Check the credentials, previous work history, and client feedback of the outsourcing vendor agency or healthcare app developers you have shortlisted. This can be done by visiting the software company’s website and checking their offerings, case studies, client reviews, etc.
Renowned online business listing platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms, etc. can also provide you with important information about the expertise of a healthcare app development vendor agency. These platforms display the profiles of numerous software companies mentioning their niche, client testimonials, awards and recognitions, project references, etc. Online platforms like Upwork provide information on thousands of skilled freelance developers and agencies around the globe.

Technical Expertise Validation

Extensive experience, innovative ability, talent, expertise, and the right skills as per your requirements, are the necessary prerequisites to look for in healthcare developers. You can prepare a questionnaire for validating their technical skills.

Agreement on SDLC and Signing of NDA

If you are hiring outsourced assistance, clarification on the SDLC and signing an NDA is essential during the project discussion stage.
You need to clarify which SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) model will be used, the experience & expertise of developers who will be allocated to your project, and the tentative turnaround time for each stage of the SLDC. Usually, an agile development methodology is preferred over other models as it has turned out to be the most productive strategy around the world so far.
Signing service level agreements like an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), with the healthcare app development company or developers to whom you are outsourcing the project, is mandatory as per the HIPAA guidelines. An NDA is also crucial as this contract seals and legalizes the partnership agreement. You must also discuss and agree upon certain factors like payment timelines, the token amount, and payment terms and conditions prior to the commencement of the project.

Must-have Skillsets to promote Healthcare Interoperability

Semantic vocabularies

Semantic vocabularies are necessary to maintain the syntactic standards needed for seamlessly interpreting clinical data, and so, healthcare app developers must have some prior experience in working with the commonly used semantic vocabularies including LONIC, ICD9/10, SNOMED-CT, and RxNorm.

Healthcare Integrations

Interoperability between various apps, systems, and devices is a crucial prerequisite to regulating clinical workflow in the healthcare environment. And, interoperability can be successfully achieved by integrating frameworks in the right manner. Hence, healthcare app developers must be well versed in the frequently used medical frameworks such as Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) and HITSP (Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel).
Developers must also possess knowledge of the popular interoperability standards adopted in the realm of Healthcare technology. The most popular interoperability standard is the level- 7 2. X; other notable ones include HL7 v3CDA, ANSIX12n5010, DICOM, and NCPDP SCRIPT.

Necessary Technical Knowledge and Skills

Third-party Integrations

Large-scale healthcare services often need to partner with third-party providers and utilize their solution platform to efficiently manage their entire workflow. The most commonly used third-party integrations include in-app chat, payment APIs, in-app calling, etc. If these integrations are not executed properly during mobile app development, the app’s UX gets adversely affected. As such, the healthcare app developers whom you pick for tailoring an app or solution must be thorough with third-party integration standards like SOAP, HL7 FHIR, and REST framework.

API Development Capabilities

Most healthcare app projects involve API development. API components need to be added for authenticating a device to gain access to the central patients’ repository.
So, the healthcare app developers must possess sound knowledge of commonly used SQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc., and NoSQL databases such as Apache Cassandra, MongoDB, etc. Developers must have expertise in developing the RESTful API, REST (Representational State Transfer) being the standard development practice. The development team should be able to build effective API endpoints and create highly workable rules for API requests and API responses. Programmers also need to know the standard practices used for ensuring API security like encryption, the usage of safe API gateways, etc.

Cutting-edge Technologies

Healthcare app developers must have the necessary expertise in working with modern technologies. The most relevant technologies employed for building a healthcare app are IoT, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence.
IoT automates the workflow of a healthcare facility, enables remote health tracking, improves interoperability, and facilitates medical data exchange. It also drives the functioning of smart devices like wearables that are an integral part of telehealth apps and remote patient monitoring.
AI has entered the healthcare industry as machine learning algorithms are increasingly being used for ushering in advanced automation and improving the efficiency and accuracy of healthcare functioning. Blockchain technology ensures security while health record sharing helps research scholars in genetic coding, and improves the efficiency of medicine supply management.

Essential Soft Skills for Healthcare App developers

  • Revenue Cycle Workflow
    •
    Healthcare app developers have to provide a clear picture to their clients on the working of the revenue cycle workflow. So, developers must have extensive knowledge about how the elements in a healthcare organization’s revenue cycle workflow function. These elements include payment models, billing schedules, denials workflows, etc.
  • Capability to guide the Client in Planning Productive Strategies
    •
    The development team is expected to guide the client through the planning process. For this reason, the professionals should possess sound interpersonal skills like being able to comprehend dependencies, interoperability requirements, etc., and strong communication skills to convey those requirements effectively.
    Recommendation on implementing effective app monetization strategies is of utmost importance as this will add value to your investment. Developers should be able to suggest the most reliable and productive monetizing strategies for optimum benefits.
  • Awareness of Healthcare App Security Standards and Regulatory Compliances
    •
    The privacy and security of data are of utmost importance as the healthcare industry processes sensitive patient data and medical information. Therefore, security measures need to be adopted during the software development process itself. So, the developers must be aware of secure coding practices and the latest data encryption tools like next-generation firewalls, antivirus, etc. The other standard practices that developers need to know are implementing multi-factor authentication along with password protection, adopting measures to eliminate security threats like broken authentication, injection, etc., and incorporating “Compliance-as-Code” for conducting security and compliance testing in the CD/CI pipeline.
    Furthermore, healthcare apps and solutions need to comply with several standard regulations like HIPAA, etc. mandated by the US government and other regulatory authorities. Developers must be well versed in these standard regulations so that they are able to effectively implement these during app building.

Bottomline:

The aforesaid practices are winning strategies for hiring Healthcare app developers. You need to team up with the right software development firm that will deliver your project timely without compromising on the product quality, identify issues instantly, and resolve bugs at once. Also, look for developers who have the necessary knowledge, understanding, technical expertise, and experience as per your project needs.
So, it is advisable to pick an IT agency that will take care of the entire healthcare app product lifecycle starting from app ideation to maintenance post-deployment.