Fort2BCK: Fortifying Signatures in Healthcare Environments Through Blockchain

Authors

  • Cinthia Paola Pascual Caceres Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, C/San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
  • José Vicente Berná Martínez Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, C/San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
  • María Esther Almaral Martínez Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, C/San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
  • Lucía Arnau Muñoz Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, C/San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/jwe1540-9589.2433

Keywords:

Blockchain, Healthcare, Information systems, Security, cryptographic signatures, consensus algorithms, zero-knowledge proofs, network nodes, data integrity

Abstract

This study introduces Fort2BCK, an advanced security framework designed to mitigate critical vulnerabilities in healthcare blockchain implementation, specifically data manipulation, unauthorised access and weaknesses in consensus protocols. Fort2BCK employs a dual verification mechanism, combining native consensus algorithm validation with the application of advanced cryptographic signatures (RSA, ECDSA and zero knowledge proofs, ZKPs), thus providing an additional layer of authentication, auditing and resistance to malicious attacks.

In contrast to traditional approaches, Fort2BCK significantly reduces the risks of fraud and forgery by independently cryptographically verifying each block before it is integrated into the blockchain, strengthening security in scenarios where conventional consensus models may be vulnerable. In addition, its interoperability with multiple blockchain architectures, including proof of work (PoW), proof of stake (PoS) and delegated proof of stake (DPoS), allows it to effectively mitigate attacks such as the 51% attack in PoW and the nothing-at-stake problem in PoS, through an integrated external validation layer.

To evaluate the effectiveness of Fort2BCK, experiments were conducted on a simulated hybrid blockchain network with 100 nodes and 50,000 transactions. The results revealed that Fort2BCK increases security by 35% against block rewrite attacks and decreases the rate of fraudulent transactions by 42%, compared to conventional blockchain systems, while maintaining a computational overhead of less than 8%. Additionally, Fort2BCK ensures compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR, ensuring that blockchain systems for the healthcare sector meet legal and privacy requirements. These findings demonstrate that Fort2BCK optimises the security, scalability and privacy of medical blockchains, facilitating the secure digitisation of healthcare systems and strengthening trust in clinical data management.

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Author Biographies

Cinthia Paola Pascual Caceres, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, C/San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain

Cinthia Paola Pascual Caceres obtained a degree in Software Development Engineering in 2013 and a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of Alicante in 2020. Currently, she is studying for a PhD in Computer Science at the University of Alicante. Her research interests include computing, Blockchain technology, networking and forensics. Helena has worked on projects that improve security and digital efficiency, exploring Blockchain applications and advancing forensic methodologies to combat cyber threats.

José Vicente Berná Martínez, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, C/San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain

José Vicente Berná Martínez was born in Spain in 1978. He received his engineering degree and PhD degree in Computer Science from the University of Alicante in 2004 and 2011, respectively. From 2006 to 2013, he was an Associate Professor at the University of Alicante. Currently he is an Assistant doctor. His research interests are in the area of computer networks, distributed systems, bio-inspired systems and robotics that are applied to industrial problems.

María Esther Almaral Martínez, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, C/San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain

María Esther Almaral Martínez was born in Mexico in 1989. She graduated with a degree in Software Development Engineering in 2012 and a master’s degree from the University of Alicante in 2021. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science at the University of Alicante. She has research interests in computer science, UX/UI and digital security. She has been working on projects related to improving digital security as well as user interfaces and user experience, her goal is to find a balance between backend and frontend functionality.

Lucía Arnau Muñoz, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, C/San Vicente s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain

Lucía Arnau Muñoz was born in Spain in 2000. She obtained her degree in Computer Engineering from the Universitat Politècnica de València in 2022, and an Official Master in Cybersecurity in 2023 from the University of Alicante, where she is currently a PhD student in Computer Science. In 2022 she started working as a Technical Specialist in the Smart University project, funded by Next Generation funds, as an expert in sensor networks and IoT systems. The research areas she is currently working on are distributed systems, advanced and scalable architectures, IoT and sensor networks.

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Published

2025-06-24

How to Cite

Pascual Caceres, C. P. ., Martínez, J. V. B. ., Martínez, M. E. A. ., & Muñoz, L. A. . (2025). Fort2BCK: Fortifying Signatures in Healthcare Environments Through Blockchain. Journal of Web Engineering, 24(03), 383–408. https://doi.org/10.13052/jwe1540-9589.2433

Issue

2025: Vol 24 Iss 3

Section

Articles