Strengthening Data Confidentiality and Integrity Protection in the Context of a Multi-Centric Information System...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Public Health
• Information Systems

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neuro-developmental conditions requiring multidisciplinary diagnostic approaches.
• Effective management of ASD patient data is crucial for research, clinical practice, and public health decision-making.
• Existing data collection methods may lack the systematic, exhaustive, and continuous multi-center capabilities needed for comprehensive ASD care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present the security policy and infrastructure for TEDIS, an information system designed for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patient data management.
• To ensure the protection of patient privacy and clinical information within a multi-center data collection framework.
• To validate the security measures through testing in a controlled environment.

Main Methods:

• Development of a comprehensive security policy encompassing governance, ethics, user access control, and patient privacy.
• Implementation of technical security infrastructure, including encryption and decryption solutions.
• Systematic and exhaustive multi-center patient data collection via secured internet connections.
• Testing of security solutions within a local secured intranet environment.

Main Results:

• The TEDIS information system was designed for systematic, exhaustive, and continuous multi-center ASD patient data collection.
• A robust security policy was established, addressing governance, consent, access control, and privacy protection.
• Security infrastructure, including advanced encryption, was implemented and tested.
• Testing demonstrated fluid functionality with consistent, transparent, and safe encrypting-decrypting results, ensuring ASD patient privacy.

Conclusions:

• The TEDIS information system provides a secure and efficient platform for managing multi-center ASD patient data.
• The implemented security policy and infrastructure effectively protect patient privacy and clinical information.
• TEDIS is poised for deployment in nine expert assessment centers, enhancing ASD research and care.