Patients, healthcare providers, device developers and manufacturers are facing a new cybersecurity challenges as a result of the integration of emerging information technology in medical devices.
Medical devices that are connected to the internet are becoming increasingly important in today’s world, but their widespread use has exposed security flaws. Information silos and unencrypted devices have resulted from fragmented networks, with hackers increasingly targeting health institutions and hospitals as a result.
According to Infoholic Research, the growing demand for self-health management, combined with the digitalization of the modern healthcare environment, results in a medical connected devices market that is expected to rise at a rate of 20% per year.
Smart Devices and IoT
The smart devices have proven critical for both patients and healthcare professionals, ranging from wearable IoT devices like smartwatches that provide a patient’s heart rate and blood oxygen level to personal medical devices like hearing aids that are calibrated remotely. Contact tracing has benefited greatly from the integration of IoT devices with smart sensors and algorithms in the medical industry, which are linked to an application through the cloud and other connected devices.
The advantages of widespread use of medical devices are overshadowed by cybersecurity risks. The majority of low-cost medical devices share the same security flaws as other low-cost connected devices, namely, weak security standards and minimal to no encryption. This is particularly worrying because backdoor access to medical databases can expose troves of sensitive data, such as health records and financial details. Furthermore, hackers can switch on or off compromised personal medical devices in particular scenarios.
Regulatory Standards
In the context of securing connected medical devices, it’s the duty of device developers and manufacturers to improve the protection of connected medical devices against cyber-attacks. In addition to meeting regulatory standards, they must continue to make efforts to protect sensitive patient data in order to better ensure patient protection.
Furthermore, they must thoroughly analyze and resolve the possible cybersecurity threats associated with their products, not only throughout the product development stage but also during the expected usage lifespan of the products.
Convergence of global healthcare cybersecurity standards and practices is critical to ensure patient safety and securing connected medical devices. The International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF) released guidelines on March 18, 2020, that covers general standards and practices for medical device cybersecurity for device manufacturers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
Best Cybersecurity Practices
* Implementation of risk-based approach to medical device design and production is vital for security of connected medical devices.
* Assurance of system protection, efficiency, and security, as well as their connected healthcare system.
* Manufacturers, healthcare providers, regulators, and other stakeholders must all share responsibility for cybersecurity.
* Making recommendations to stakeholders to reduce the risk of patient harm over the device’s entire life cycle.
* Defining cybersecurity concepts that are universally understood, as well as best practices for achieving and preserving device protection.
* Designing and developing broad data-sharing policies in the context of cybersecurity incidents, risks, and vulnerabilities.
A Brief Conclusion
The healthcare industry is increasingly concerned about the possible vulnerability of connected medical devices to cyberthreats. Failure to resolve the cybersecurity risks associated with tainted medical devices may have serious implications for both patients and healthcare providers.
To conclude, successful cybersecurity initiatives are the joint responsibility of all industry players and stakeholders, including healthcare institutions, healthcare providers, medical device developers and manufacturers, and consumers.