Security Issues in Pervasive Computing: A Healthcare Scenario

In the past few years, pervasive computing applications have grown tremendously because of recent developments in portable, low-cost, lightweight devices with faster short range and low power wireless communications networks. Pervasive computing environment consists of various small, frequently mobile, handheld and portable smart devices connected to an ad-hoc network structure. These devices are fully efficient in sensing the environment around them and reacting intelligently to the changes in user context in order to simplify the user activities. Security issues increase in pervasive computing environments as it provides a user access to computing resources and services from any location and at any point of time. Pervasive computing has become an essential in healthcare because of so many small devices used. The security plays an essential role in this regard. A wide range of research has been carried in pervasive computing. This paper elaborates the security issues in pervasive computing specially in the healthcare field.