Quantum-Safe Cryptography Implementation in Healthcare Cloud Systems: A Technical Framework

Abstract

As developments in quantum computing threaten to break existing encryption techniques safeguarding sensitive patient information in cloud-based medical systems, the healthcare sector is confronting never-before-seen cryptographic difficulties. Addressing unique needs like multi-decade data retention demands, legacy medical device limitations, and real-time patient care demands, the framework provides a specialized quantum-secure cryptographic design created particularly for healthcare settings. Three innovations are at the basis: a tiered implementation plan that dynamically allocates post-quantum protection level by medical data sensitivity categorisation, application to edge computing architecture that allows quantum-resistant security with resource-constrained medical devices without hardware enhancements, and healthcare interoperability-aware hybrid protocols to ensure continuous data transfer between FHIR, HL7, and DICOM standards in the event of cryptographic switchovers. The model uses NIST-standardized post-quantum algorithms such as CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium (digital signatures) and SPHINCS+ (long-term integrity verification) tailored to healthcare with competing requirements of the highest security and lowest operations latency. The implementation strategies will include the application of phase-based implementation approaches that will include the infrastructure preparation phase through full integration of the ecosystem, with a special focus on the optimization of HIPAA compliance and alignment of regulatory frameworks. Performance optimization techniques leverage characteristic healthcare data access patterns, including patient-centric workflows, clinical department batch processing, and medical imaging parallelization strategies. The quantum-safe infrastructure establishes foundational capabilities for next-generation healthcare innovations, including precision medicine genomics platforms, federated artificial intelligence systems, and global health collaboration networks requiring cryptographic security guarantees spanning decades or centuries against both classical and quantum computational threats.