Medical Device Security: Safeguarding Healthcare in the Digital Age
As healthcare becomes increasingly digitized, medical devices have evolved from standalone machines to interconnected, networked systems. While this connectivity improves patient care, it also introduces significant cybersecurity risks. Medical device security has emerged as a critical concern for hospitals, manufacturers, and patients alike, ensuring that devices function safely without exposing sensitive data or creating vulnerabilities.
Medical devices today range from pacemakers and insulin pumps to imaging equipment and surgical robots. Many of these devices store, transmit, or receive patient data, making them potential targets for cyberattacks. Unauthorized access to these devices can lead to data breaches, device malfunction, or even life-threatening scenarios. As such, safeguarding these technologies is not just about protecting information—it is about protecting human lives.
A core challenge in medical device security is the diversity and complexity of devices. Older devices, often referred to as legacy systems, may…
