Patient data security in the DICOM standard

• Published in: European journal of radiology Vol. 51; no. 3; pp. 286 - 289
• Main Authors: Schütze, B, Kroll, M, Geisbe, T, Filler, T.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.09.2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Algorithms; Biological and medical sciences; Computer Communication Networks - standards; Computer Security - classification; Computer Security - standards; Cryptography; DICOM; Humans; Information Storage and Retrieval - classification; Information Storage and Retrieval - standards; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical Records Systems, Computerized; Medical sciences; Radiology Information Systems; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Software; Telecommunication; DICOM; Cryptography; Telecommunication; Human; Radiology; Nuclear medicine
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2003.08.001

The DICOM committee added the section “Security Profiles” to the DICOM standard, in order to provide the opportunity of safe communication between health care system partners. Data complying with the DICOM standard—e.g. pictures, signals or reports of examinations can be provided with one or more digital signatures. Attention should be paid to the fact that these possibilities of the DICOM standard are available or can be supplied subsequently by new acquisitions of radiological modalities. The required information to check these prerequisites are given.