A naukri.com initiative
Securityintelligence
1M
362
Image Credit: Securityintelligence
Cybersecurity risks in healthcare are an ongoing crisis
- Healthcare providers are at risk of cyberattacks due to the lack of diligence in securing their medical devices, which are critical for patient care. Several healthcare providers have experienced cybersecurity breaches this year, compromising vast amounts of electronic personal health information. Medical devices have become a vital entry point for hackers. Many older devices still in use were not designed with cybersecurity in mind and run outdated software, introducing vulnerable points of entry. There is still inconsistent compliance with medical device regulations from manufacturers and healthcare providers alike. Healthcare providers can significantly improve medical device security by implementing cybersecurity best practices and leveraging the power of gen AI to improve the quality of patient care.
- A lack of secure-by-design principles introduces vulnerabilities to hospital networks, which comprise interconnected medical devices. The total number of worldwide hospitals is set to reach 166,548 by 2029, with an estimated 1.67 million connected medical devices in circulation, emphasising the imperative for improved cybersecurity measures. The design flaws of medical devices can pose a severe risk, owing to lack of regulation in the area. Medical devices such as insulin pumps, MRI machines, infusion pumps, pacemakers, and unpatched nurse call system hardware are critical ransomware targets. Healthcare providers can improve cybersecurity by implementing gen AI-driven threat analysis, patch management, incident response systems, and compliance monitoring.
- Medical devices are complex systems that can be difficult to secure because of their multiple components, interfaces and connectivity options. Although the FDA has made significant efforts in regulating medical devices, compliance remains inconsistent. Many older devices still in use were not designed with cybersecurity in mind. Hackers are now targeting these medical devices, putting the safety of patients at risk. Legacy devices often run outdated software, which presents a vulnerable interface for attackers to manipulate. Medical devices that have unsecured interfaces, inadequate security protocols, lack of cyber expertise, and limited end-to-end visibility across supply chains, create a significant risk to healthcare providers.
- Medical device security can be enhanced by employing AI-assisted vulnerability assessments to mitigate security risks, employing AI-based cybersecurity training for healthcare providers, conducting AI-driven patch management systems, and ensuring the most critical vulnerabilities are patched first. Along with their efforts towards Medical device security, healthcare providers should ensure adherence to HIPAA and other regulatory standards, as well as implement threat intelligence to analyse large amounts of data and detect and respond to potential threats.
- Ransomware attacks are on the rise, threatening the healthcare industry that relies on the digital connectivity of medical devices. With approximately 10 to 15 medical devices per bed, much like gen AI, cybersecurity measures will grow to be integrated if the industry is to continue caring for patients safely and securely. It is imperative that medical device hardware and software are secure, reliable, tested against failure and institutionalised adherence to cybersecurity measures where possible. Improving cybersecurity in healthcare environments will not only protect patient data but also safeguard patient care from potentially life-threatening interruptions caused by cyberattacks.
Read Full Article
21 Likes
For uninterrupted reading, download the app