BlackBerry’s move enables improve patient outcome with security and data privacy.
Enterprise software company BlackBerry has announced a blockchain-based platform for storing and sharing of medical data. The former smartphone maker comes up with its flagship BlackBerry Spark platform and announces new partnerships and customer-driven projects that share an aim of transforming the global delivery of patient care enabled by the Enterprise of Things (EoT).
John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry, said, “We are applying our expertise in security, data privacy, and communication work in regulated industries such as automotive, financial services, and government to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the healthcare industry: leveraging healthcare endpoints to improve patient outcomes while ensuring security and data privacy.”
BlackBerry to apply its NOC and blockchain technology
The company will be applying its renowned carrier-grade network operation center (NOC) to power a blockchain digital ledger, provided by ONEBIO, to create an ultra-secure global ecosystem for the storing and sharing of medical data. BlackBerry is to offer this new secure blockchain solution firstly to the Global Commission, an organization focused on ending the diagnostic odyssey for children with a rare disease.
BlackBerry stated, “Co-chaired by Shire, the leading global biotech focused on rare diseases, one of the Global Commission’s technology pilots will explore how BlackBerry’s new solution might provide real-time, actionable analysis as the Commission seeks to use technology to shorten the time to diagnosis.”
Newly launched OS for secure medical devices
BlackBerry’s new QNX OS for Medical 2.0 is a real-time operating system for the development of robotic surgical instruments, patient monitoring systems, infusion pumps, blood analysis systems, and other safety-critical products that must pass stringent regulatory approval. It is designed to be highly secure and compliant, certified with IEC 62304 safety standards.
BlackBerry collaborates with Mackenzie Innovation Institute
The Mackenzie Innovation Institute (Mi2) is exploring security and connectivity between the BlackBerry Spark EoT platform and its ‘smart’ healthcare technology vision. Mi2 supports innovation in healthcare through research, education, and training while enhancing healthcare practices, treatments, service delivery models and more.
Richard Tam, Chief Financial Officer of Mi2, said, “By developing a deeper understanding and exploring how our ‘smart’ systems operate with BlackBerry Spark, we aim to uncover new ways to connect, protect and intuitively manage smart technologies in a hospital and positively impact high-quality patient care.” He added, “Together, we will focus on comprehensive security, patient privacy, and intelligent connectivity, all the while achieving the vision of the Internet of Healthcare Things (IoHT).”
