The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed the healthcare world, with its network of interconnected devices offering patients greater control over their health and facilitating treatment for a range of chronic conditions and illnesses.
A growing array of medical IoT devices offer patients everything from biosensors inside wearables to infusion pumps and smart thermometers. Remote patient monitoring is a very promising advancement, but it can only be used successfully if the security concerns it presents are acknowledged and managed.
Most people are familiar with the risks of cell phones and computers, and medical IoT devices are also vulnerable to internet threats. The healthcare industry, in particular, is a top target for cybercriminals.
Because the devices involved in medical IoT are often life-sustaining, proper cybersecurity can be a matter of life or death. These devices are uniquely vulnerable to person-of-interest and ransomware attacks that seek to kill or injure specific individuals.
In contrast, other attacks may be aimed at disrupting the availability of medical services, which can jeopardize patients’ health.
Parties Responsible for Addressing Cybersecurity in Medical IoT
The responsibility for addressing the cybersecurity issues that medical IoT devices are vulnerable to is generally shared between the manufacturers of the devices themselves, the institutions and healthcare providers that supply these devices to patients, and the end users.
Device manufacturers play the most important role in medical IT security. They must design every device with security in mind, incorporating robust security features such as encryption, secure firmware update mechanisms, and secure boot.
They must also commit to releasing security patches regularly to address all vulnerabilities as they are identified. However, patients must also take an active role in ensuring their devices remain secure.
This entails keeping their software up to date, installing new patches directly from the manufacturer promptly, using strong passwords, and being aware of the types of threats they could face, such as phishing scams.
They should also be instructed to use care when deciding who to supply their personal information and login credentials. Patients should be encouraged to use two-factor authentication when it is offered.
Regulators and lawmakers have also been paying closer attention to IoT devices as their popularity grows. New regulations are being introduced to protect users and ensure that medical IoT systems are deployed safely and securely to minimize privacy and security risks.
Regulations and standards protecting sensitive information can create a safer environment for healthcare providers and patients. For example, in 2022, the White House announced it was creating a national cybersecurity labeling program for IoT devices to protect consumers.
How Cybersecurity Professionals Can Help
Cybersecurity professionals are well-versed in managing a range of common cyberthreats, including vulnerabilities, ransomware, malware attacks, interoperability issues, and data privacy.
This means they are positioned to help all parties involved in manufacturing and using medical IoT devices, from product developers and manufacturers to healthcare providers, patients, and their families.
Developing Cybersecurity Strategies
These experts can develop robust medical device security strategies that eliminate worries and enable providers and patients to focus on proper health management and positive health outcomes.
For example, they can conduct risk assessments and apply valuable measures such as least-privileged access controls and contextual network segmentation. They can also continuously monitor device behaviors to detect and prevent known and developing threats.
In addition, they will provide recommendations on simplifying the operations of these devices to reduce the possibility of human error or inadvertently opening up additional vulnerabilities.
Secure Cloud Platforms
Cybersecurity professionals can devise tailored cloud storage protection plans for healthcare organizations that use cloud platforms to transfer and store data on IoT devices. Authentication control plays a key role in this approach.
This entails implementing multifactor authentication to ensure that only authorized users can access the devices and systems on the network. They can also regularly monitor and manage permissions to meet changing access needs.
Cybersecurity professionals will also ensure that every user has unique and secure credentials and is prompted to change their passwords regularly, providing advice on choosing effective passwords. They can also implement measures to block specific accounts for a defined period following repeated failed attempts to access the network.
Educating Workforces and Patients
Cybersecurity professionals can educate healthcare organization employees, patients, and their families on using these devices securely and avoiding vulnerabilities.
For example, they can explain how common cyberthreats work and how individuals can avoid becoming victims. They can implement and explain protocols and emphasize the importance of following them.
They can also train them to protect their passwords and access codes, avoid unauthorized software use, and report unusual behavior promptly so it can be investigated.
Protect Your Medical IoT Devices with Solutions from Advantage Tech
Contact Advantage Tech to learn how our tailored solutions can provide robust protection for all types of medical IoT devices around the clock.
