In the news: Medical device cybersecurity concerns ramp up as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues
All healthcare organizations are susceptible to cybersecurity incidents. For many it’s a matter of when the attack will happen, not if. Cybersecurity incidents can be extremely damaging — not only can they interfere with day-to-day business operations, but also disrupt patient care, posing a real threat to physical harm.
During the pandemic, data revealed that threats to cybersecurity were on the rise. However, in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, MedTech Dive is reporting that cybersecurity threats have reached new levels and could be potentially “catastrophic” to the American healthcare system.
Read on for our monthly news roundup covering the latest in cybersecurity threats as the war in Ukraine continues. Plus, learn more about keeping your medical device IP safe from cyber attacks, and how more health systems will step up their cybersecurity protocols in the coming year.
While we feel it’s important to share this news, it’s equally important to remember that Cognosos is built on a platform that runs separately from the hospital’s ensuring that our RTLS technology doesn’t present a backdoor to hackers.
Medtech, hospitals on alert for cyberattacks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Medtech Dive
While cybersecurity threats to healthcare and the medtech industry — including ransomware — have grown during the pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine has raised the threat level.
Nick Yuran, CEO of medical device security consulting firm Harbor Labs and who has worked in U.S. intelligence as a Russian linguist-analyst for 10 years before moving to the private sector, contends that given the “talents and resources” available to a state-sponsored actor such as Russia, the damage to America’s healthcare system potentially could be catastrophic.
How and Why Health Systems Will Step Up Medical Device Cybersecurity in 2022
Medtech Intelligence
Whether medical devices are in a hospital or at an alternate site of care, vulnerabilities exist. This year, healthcare providers will take a more comprehensive approach to medical device security to ensure those vulnerabilities are mitigated. In fact, medical device cybersecurity hinges on coordinated efforts among clinical engineering, information technology and cybersecurity teams, whether those teams are in-house, third-party or some combination of both.
How to keep your medical device IP safe from cyber attacks
Help Net Security
It has never been easier or more profitable to hack devices for their IP. More and more medical devices have transformed from mechanical devices with limited software to software packed devices at risk of a hacker breach. For organizations who wish to secure their IP from theft and misuse, here’s what you need to know.
75% of infusion pumps have cyber flaws, putting them at risk from hackers: study
Medtech Dive
Three out of four infusion pumps used to deliver medications and fluids to patients have cybersecurity flaws, putting them at increased risk of being compromised by hackers, according to a new study by Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 threat research service.
Biden’s $5.8 trillion budget: 9 healthcare takeaways
Becker’s Hospital Review
From pandemic preparedness to vaccines for uninsured adults and spending to reduce HIV, President Joe Biden recently proposed a $5.8 trillion budget for fiscal year 2023, which includes funding for healthcare.
