As the healthcare industry increasingly relies on connected medical devices and health IT systems, medical device security has become more important than ever. In this article, I will provide an in-depth look at medical device security and why it is safety critical for healthcare organizations, patients, and medical device manufacturers.
Why Medical Device Security Matters
Medical devices like pacemakers, insulin pumps, MRI scanners, and other connected equipment are vulnerable to cyberattacks just like any other computerized system. However, unlike a hacked email account or social media profile, a compromised medical device could actually cost lives.
Here are some reasons why medical device security is so critical:
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Patient Safety – If a hacker accesses a connected medical device, they may be able to change device settings or dosages in dangerous ways that put the patient’s health at risk.
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Data Privacy – Medical devices hold sensitive patient health information that hackers could steal and exploit.
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Ransomware Attacks – An attack could lock out device users until they pay a ransom to regain access and functionality. This could delay urgent patient care.
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Network Vulnerabilities – If a hacker gains access to a healthcare organization’s network through an unsecured medical device, it leaves the entire network open to attack.
Medical device vulnerabilities can truly have life-or-death consequences. That’s why security needs to be a key priority for device makers and healthcare providers alike.
Real-World Examples of Medical Device Hacking
To understand the real dangers, let’s look at some actual cases of medical device cyberattacks:
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In 2018, the FDA recalled several models of implantable cardiac pacemakers due to potential vulnerabilities that could allow a hacker to gain access and modify device settings. This could have caused pacing delays or rapid battery depletion.
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Researchers demonstrated the ability to remotely hack an insulin pump and change settings to overdose diabetic patients with insulin. Thankfully, this was just a proof of concept hack and not an actual attack.
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The WannaCry and NotPetya ransomware outbreaks in 2017 disrupted medical facilities worldwide, taking down networks and critical imaging equipment like MRI scanners until ransoms were paid.
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Vulnerabilities in popular Philips ultrasound and imaging devices allowed researchers to gain remote admin access that could alter device configurations and impact diagnostic functionality.
These examples illustrate how medical device security has extensive patient safety implications. Hackers with malicious intent could potentially target vulnerabilities and wreak havoc in healthcare institutions.
Securing Networked Medical Devices
Protecting medical devices from cyber threats requires a multilayered approach involving healthcare providers, manufacturers, and medical staff. Here are some best practices:
Network Segmentation – Isolate medical devices into separate networks to limit lateral movement for attackers. Monitor traffic in and out of medical device networks.
Access Controls – Limit access to medical devices through role-based access controls and allowing only authorized users to make configuration changes.
Patching – Regularly patch medical devices and related systems to remediate known vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. Sign up for manufacturer notifications about new patches.
Encryption – Encrypt network traffic, patient health data, and other sensitive information to make devices less lucrative targets for attackers.
Awareness Training – Educate clinicians and medical staff on cybersecurity best practices to keep devices more secure through their day-to-day usage.
Monitoring – Actively monitor medical networks with intrusion detection and prevention systems. Watch for unusual traffic patterns or behaviors that could indicate an attack.
The Role of Medical Device Manufacturers
The companies that design and produce medical devices also play a big part in protecting patients from cyberattacks.
Here are some ways medical device manufacturers can build security into their products:
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Perform extensive security testing and risk assessments before devices are marketed and sold.
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Design devices with security in mind from the beginning, rather than bolting it on at the end.
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Encrypt devices, require strong passwords, and implement access controls using principles like least privilege access.
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Provide customers with cybersecurity guidance and offer ongoing vulnerability notifications and patching.
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Submit devices to the FDA for cybersecurity reviews to assure they meet defined standards.
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Engineer devices to monitor themselves for anomalous network traffic and behaviors that could indicate compromise.
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Share information about vulnerabilities and threats with healthcare providers so they can also implement protections.
Looking Ahead at Medical Device Security
As medical devices grow more advanced, they present amazing new possibilities for improving patient outcomes. But this also increases the attack surface for cybercriminals.
Medical device security will only increase in importance as more healthcare organizations adopt connected technologies like remote patient monitoring, telehealth, mHealth apps, and internet-enabled medical equipment.
Staying ahead of emerging threats will require proactive collaboration between medical facilities, device makers, regulators, and cybersecurity researchers. But the field has made great strides in recent years.
With continued vigilance and adherence to best practices, the healthcare industry can confidently embrace connected technologies to deliver better patient care while also keeping crucial medical devices secure. Protecting patient health data and safety remains the top priority as medical innovations continue marching forward.
