Advances in medical image watermarking: a state of the art review

Abstract

Watermarking has been considered to be a potent and persuasive gizmo for its application in healthcare setups that work online, especially in the current COVID-19 scenario. The security and protection of medical image data from various manipulations that take place over the internet is a topic of concern that needs to be addressed. A detailed review of security and privacy protection using watermarking has been presented in this paper. Watermarking of medical images helps in the protection of image content, authentication of Electronic Patient Record (EPR), and integrity verification. At first, we discuss the various prerequisites of medical image watermarking systems, followed by the classification of Medical Image Watermarking Techniques (MIWT) that include state-of-the-art. We have classified MIWT’s into four broader classes for providing better understanding of medical image watermarking. The existing schemes have been presented along with their cons so that the reader may be able to grasp the shortcomings of the technique in order to develop novel techniques proving the inevitability of the presented review. Further, various evaluation parameters along with potential challenges pertaining to medical image watermarking systems have been discussed to provide a deep insight into this research area.

Cybersecurity for Sustainable Smart Healthcare: State of the Art, Taxonomy, Mechanisms, and Essential Roles

“…Several strategies have been developed to safeguard the exchange of medical images and data. Digital watermarking is the most secure technique for protecting medical images, copyrights, and intellectual property [144][145][146]. Yan et al [45] and Gull & Parah [146] define digital watermarking as a technique for embedding or hiding distinct imperceptible digital signals, information, or markings within medical images, video, audio, and other multimedia or documents to provide authentication, integrity verification, and copyright protection.…”

“…Digital watermarking is the most secure technique for protecting medical images, copyrights, and intellectual property [144][145][146]. Yan et al [45] and Gull & Parah [146] define digital watermarking as a technique for embedding or hiding distinct imperceptible digital signals, information, or markings within medical images, video, audio, and other multimedia or documents to provide authentication, integrity verification, and copyright protection. Digital watermarking is required in SHSs to identify healthcare users and secure medical images that carry sensitive patient information [146].…”

“…Yan et al [45] and Gull & Parah [146] define digital watermarking as a technique for embedding or hiding distinct imperceptible digital signals, information, or markings within medical images, video, audio, and other multimedia or documents to provide authentication, integrity verification, and copyright protection. Digital watermarking is required in SHSs to identify healthcare users and secure medical images that carry sensitive patient information [146]. The digital watermark may include the physician's signature, a unique patient number, and diagnostic information [147].…”