Supplementing the real-world laboratories (“4D Clinic” & “Data Intelligence”) with concepts for security and privacy

The conflict between security and privacy on the one hand and the availability of the most comprehensive patient data possible in order to make precise medical decisions on the other is one of the main challenges of digital medicine in Germany and beyond. 

At Fraunhofer CIMD and the two real-world laboratories (“4D-Klinik” and “Datenintelligenz”), comprehensive patient data is an essential part of the (research) projects. One promising approach to resolving the conflict is interdisciplinary collaboration between experts in medicine, data (visualization), privacy and security. That is why the Fraunhofer Institutes for Computer Graphics Research IGD, for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP and for Secure Information Technology SIT are involved in this Fraunhofer CIMD project. The addition to the previous projects of the real laboratories is above all the linking of the three aspects (health/medicine, data/visualization/use and security/privacy) for secure data storage of the Medical Data Lake at the research level, with the aim of achieving a political impact. 

 

Health and medical decisions

The health aspect is the focus for medical users and other stakeholders in this environment. The exchange of medical data is subject to important principles of ethics and privacy, but is also essential for medical research, personalized diagnostics and ensuring the best possible treatment.

 

Data storage, visualization and usability

This aspect is about the usability of the approach based on the data storage concept and the possibilities for accessing the data securely, but also in a user-friendly, visual and interactive way. New concepts are needed to involve patients in the process and to ensure that all legal and privacy requirements are met in data storage and access. However, these concepts must be understood by both the data owners and the medical professionals and researchers who use the data.

 

Security and privacy

The third aspect considers IT security and privacy protection. The large amounts of medical and personal data in the “Secure Medical Data Lake” require special protection. Access by unauthorized persons must be prevented by all means. This can be ensured in particular with a concept that combines technical and organizational measures.

The concept of the Medical Data Lake will be a “need to know” principle, a fundamental security principle that will help medical research in Germany take a significant step forward. This involves both technical and organizational solutions.

 

Outlook

The project focuses on creating a security and privacy concept for the CIMD real-world laboratories. This will be an essential prerequisite for the real-world laboratories' utilization phase. The concept will also be the basis for future projects with a broader focus in the context of extensive medical data networks and clinics. 

Another current research topic is the exact design and definition of medical digital twins (MDTs). A digital twin can be a highly developed representation of a virtual model or a digital image that analyzes and compares data in real time and, with the help of simulations and artificial intelligence, supports decision-making. Securing different versions of MDTs is a significant challenge. The optimal interaction of the security mechanisms from the point of view of usability for medical decisions will therefore be pursued beyond the conceptual definition in the context of this project.