Medical Device Cybersecurity: More Critical Than Ever
Connected medical devices are transforming healthcare by enabling real-time monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. They communicate over networks to collect and share patient data, improving outcomes and care delivery. However, this widespread use raises serious security concerns, making strong connected medical device security essential.
With their growing prevalence, the global market for connected medical devices is projected to reach $60 billion by 2027, a significant increase from $38 billion in 2020. This growth amplifies the urgency for robust connected medical device security measures, ensuring the safety and privacy of patients’ data and the seamless functionality of these critical devices.
More people now depend on connected medical devices to manage their health daily. These devices, part of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), face many cyber risks. They can threaten patient privacy and device safety. In the past year, healthcare has seen a rise in these threats. That’s why protecting connected medical devices is crucial. Staying alert, knowing the risks, and taking steps to reduce them helps keep patient data safe and private.
Connected Medical Device Security
The Risks of Stolen Patient Data
The rise of connected medical devices, many of which lack standardized security measures, introduces varying levels of vulnerability. These devices collect and transmit sensitive patient information, which can be exploited if not properly secured.
Unauthorized access to medical databases can harm both patients and healthcare organizations. These databases hold sensitive information like insurance details and financial records. A data breach violates patient privacy and can result in penalties, lawsuits, and high costs for healthcare providers. Protecting this data is critical to avoid these risks.
Healthcare Organizations also need to comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). To ensure protection of patient’s data and privacy.
Hacker-Controlled Medical Devices
Cyberattacks pose a serious risk to connected medical devices. Hackers can break into personal medical equipment and cause harm beyond stealing patient data. They can control devices by changing settings or turning them on and off. This can be life-threatening for patients who rely on these devices for daily health care. Protecting IoMT security is vital to keep patients safe.
Disruption in Patient Care
Malware attacks are one of the most common threats to connected medical devices. Hackers use malware to take control of important files and systems, often demanding a ransom to restore access. During the pandemic, some hackers blocked hospitals from accessing life-saving files until they were paid. Prioritizing the security of connected medical devices keeps patient safety first, even as cyber threats evolve.
Damage to Reputation and Credibility
Cyberattacks can seriously harm the reputation and trustworthiness of healthcare providers. After a data breach, patients and stakeholders may doubt the safety of their information. Trust is key in healthcare, and once lost, it is hard and expensive to rebuild. Securing connected medical devices protects patient data and helps maintain trust and integrity in the medical field.
Prioritizing strong security for connected medical devices is essential. It protects patient data, ensures continuous care, and preserves the reputation of healthcare organizations. As cyber threats evolve, security measures must keep pace to safeguard these critical devices.
How Can Healthcare Organizations Protect Connected Medical Devices?
Connected medical devices offer significant benefits in patient care, but they also present multiple cybersecurity risks. To fully harness their potential while minimizing these risks, healthcare institutions must implement effective countermeasures through the following strategies:
Orchestrated Firmware Updates
A key advantage of connected medical devices is their ability to be regularly updated. During these firmware updates, it is essential to ensure careful orchestration and that only authorized parties can make changes to the devices.
Should an update failure occur, there must be a contingency plan in place. This plan could involve rebooting the device and restarting the update or replacing the device altogether. Additionally, patients need clear instructions on how to configure their devices on their home network. Proper installation allows you to establish an encrypted connection between the medical devices and the IoMT.
Secure Custom Software
Healthcare institutions often rely on proprietary software to manage connected medical devices. Therefore, it is vital to embed security into every part of this software. As a result, many developers now specialize in creating secure healthcare applications, often through targeted training programs. This focus has increased the demand for professionals skilled in protecting medical devices.
Additionally, users of the system, including medical staff and administrators, should receive regular cybersecurity training. This empowers them to spot potential vulnerabilities in the network and take proactive steps to fix them before they are exploited.
Enhancing Connected Medical Device Security with Physical Layer Visibility Fingerprinting
In networks with many connected medical devices, some vulnerabilities can go unnoticed, especially when relying on manual reports and employee actions. This leaves openings for hackers to enter the system and add unauthorized devices, putting security and patient data at risk.
A proactive solution to this challenge is to integrate physical layer visibility fingerprinting for every device connected to your network. This unique method improves connected medical device security by offering automated and accurate device identification and risk management.
Sepio’s Asset Risk Management
Sepio is the only company in the world offering physical layer visibility through fingerprinting. With Sepio’s Asset Risk Management (ARM), no device goes undetected. Each device gets a unique digital fingerprint, strengthening your cybersecurity posture. Sepio automatically identifies if a medical device becomes vulnerable or if unauthorized devices and connections appear on the network.
With Sepio’s technology, you can automatically detect and assess the security of connected medical devices. It helps you spot vulnerabilities in real time and ensures that only trusted devices access the network.
See Every Asset, Prioritize Risks, and Strengthen Security
Sepio’s solution offers full visibility into every known and shadow asset within your network. By prioritizing and mitigating risks effectively, Sepio enables healthcare organizations to take a proactive approach to connected medical device security.
Talk to an expert to learn how our patented technology can help you gain full control over your asset risks. This ensures a more secure and reliable network for connected medical devices.
