Abstract

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices with cloud platforms is transforming patient care through real-time monitoring and advanced data analytics. However, this connectivity introduces critical security vulnerabilities that can have life-threatening consequences. This mini review summarizes emerging security vulnerabilities in IoT-cloud healthcare environments, data breaches, replay attacks and adversarial AI manipulation. It evaluates current countermeasures, including lightweight cryptography, API security and intrusion detection. While current mitigation strategies provide a foundational level of security, the healthcare sector must adopt a more resilient posture urgently. This includes embracing future needs like Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) for long-term data protection and implementing Zero-Trust architectures to ensure patient safety in an increasingly connected world.

Keywords:IoT and cloud security; Smart healthcare; Post-quantum cryptography; Information security