Implementing Role Based Access in Healthcare Ad Hoc Networks

As mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are becoming popular for a variety of applications, so are the issues surrounding corresponding implementations. In this paper, a healthcare application is developed for an environment where normal network connectivity may not be available hence networking of small scale healthcare units and corresponding devices becomes necessary. Different roles of such units are discussed to facilitate role based access control (RBAC) conformant access. The concepts of role-based access and databases are combined to specify separation of duty (on ad hoc networks) as required for database integrity. The framework to adapt policy based access control model in the MANET environment is discussed. Furthermore, XML implementation of such access control within a typical rural healthcare environment is investigated. Index Terms Healthcare Ad hoc Networks, Policy Based Access, Role Based Access, XML in Healthcare