By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Health Benefits of Taking a Vacation to Reduce Your Stress
    September 27, 2023
    First Aid Training Enhancing Workplace Health and Safety
    September 25, 2023
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    5 Self-Care Habits to Help You Live an A+ Life
    September 21, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Mosquito-Dissecting Robot May Bring Malaria Vaccine Closer to Reality
    May 29, 2014
    The emergency department entrance at Mayo Clin...
    Fingertip Injury Points Out Emergency Care Billing Conundrum
    August 8, 2012
    mike tyson
    After Fighting Mike Tyson, Wouldn’t We All Need Rewards to Take On Healthcare?
    September 14, 2014
    Latest News
    Job Seekers with Disabilities Should at Health Insurance Benefits
    September 12, 2023
    Reasons That Drug Prices Are Rising to Unsustainable Levels
    September 12, 2023
    How Revenue Lifecycle Management Helps Healthcare Providers to Optimize Business Operations
    September 6, 2023
    The Hidden Benefits of Practice Exams for Medical Professionals
    September 6, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Medical Device Security and the FDA
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Medical Records > Medical Device Security and the FDA
Medical RecordsMobile HealthTechnology

Medical Device Security and the FDA

Rick Delgado
Last updated: 2014/12/04 at 9:00 AM
Rick Delgado
Share
6 Min Read
medical device security
SHARE

medical device securityOver the past few years there have been a number of high profile data breaches, from companies like The Home Depot to Target. But it isn’t just large retailers who are vulnerable to cyber attacks.

medical device securityOver the past few years there have been a number of high profile data breaches, from companies like The Home Depot to Target. But it isn’t just large retailers who are vulnerable to cyber attacks. An increasing number of industries are facing network security issues, and some of these industries would be in a much tougher spot if their information was lost or their systems were compromised.  

One such industry is health care. Unfortunately, healthcare organizations haven’t been as diligent about cybersecurity issues. Healthcare IT spending is only about one-fifth the size of comparable industries, showing a significant lack of effort and a clear need for network security improvements.

In an effort to address this issue, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a number of new guidelines aimed at medical device manufacturers. The hope is to help improve the security measures of these devices, in order to better protect patient information and improve treatment. Some of these new recommendations include:

More Read

EHR Implementation

Step-by-Step Guide to EHR Implementation

Developing Meditations Apps to Fight the Mental Health Crisis
Harnessing the Power of Technology to Shape the Future of Proactive Health and Disease Diagnostics
Should Hospitals Use Meditech EHR or Advancedmd EHR?
Exploring Advanced Dental Ways: How Dentists Enhance Your Smile
  • Limiting device access to trusted users through the use of authentication, such as IDs, passwords, smart cards and biometrics

  • Using data encryption to ensure information is secure when transferred between devices

  • Implementing features that allow for security compromises to be detected, recognized, logged, timed and acted upon

  • Providing information to end users about the appropriate actions to take upon detection of a cybersecurity event

It should go without saying that protecting health information and securing medical devices is a big deal. Unlike other industries, tampering with healthcare equipment and personal health records could lead to serious risks, even death. With those dangers in mind, you’d think manufacturers would be a lot more conscious of potential threats facing their devices. However, this isn’t the case. Many medical devices aren’t designed to allow for software patches. As a result, when major threats like the recent Heartbleed or Shellshock come along, there is no way to patch up the system and prevent attacks. Not to mention, with so many devices interconnected on a single network, once one machine is compromised, others can fall victim as well. Hopefully the new FDA guidelines will encourage manufacturers to improve their devices so they can be updated in order to fight new security threats.

When these devices are compromised, it doesn’t simply mean a loss of private patient information. Yes, sensitive information falling into the wrong hands is scary, but there are even scarier outcomes. So much medical equipment is controlled by computers, meaning hackers who break into the network could alter drug infusion pumps and administer lethal doses, or control defibrillators and deliver random shocks. In addition, medical records could be altered, leading doctors to prescribe the wrong medicine or unable to access important documents during life-threatening situations.  

Another area contributing to medical network security issues is the many insecure, IP-enabled devices brought into hospitals and clinics. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trends aren’t specific to just one industry. Almost everyone is looking to use their phones, tablets or whatever for work. Studies show that 69 percent of hospital nurses and 80 percent of physicians are using their personal smartphones at work. That doesn’t even count all the other devices entering hospitals with patients and visitors. BYOD has many positive aspects. When healthcare professionals use devices with which they are familiar, it can help improve access to information and increase productivity. Those are incredibly important features when lives are on the line. However, these devices aren’t always secure, meaning they could be the means of data leaks and network infections. Doctors could use their tablets to store patient information, but if those devices aren’t properly protected, that information could easily fall into the wrong hands. When working to improve network security, IT professionals working in the healthcare industry will need to consider solutions capable of handling BYOD.

For the moment, the FDA recommendations are only guidelines, not regulations. Opting to follow them is only voluntary, but that shouldn’t encourage manufacturers or hospitals to take their cybersecurity lightly. With new devices come new threats, and healthcare organizations could face severe penalties if they don’t take the right steps to protect their patients and their information.

security / shutterstock

TAGGED: security

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Rick Delgado December 4, 2014
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Global health Global Health Looks to BRAC and Gates Foundation for Mobile Money
Next Article From Denial to Responsibility – Connected Health Can Make Us All Accountable for Our Care

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

Andropause hormonal decline
The Benefits of TRT for Andropause and Hormonal Decline
Wellness September 28, 2023
Cancer Prevention
The Importance of Lipoma Examination in Cancer Prevention
Cancer September 28, 2023
dental implant
Cost Analysis of Dental Implants in Australia
Dental health September 28, 2023
View,Of,Niagara,Falls,In,Autumn
Health Benefits of Taking a Vacation to Reduce Your Stress
Health September 27, 2023

You Might also Like

quality of life
Technology

Elevating Quality of Life: An In-depth Examination of Stairlift Technological Advancements

September 17, 2023
menopause and depression
Mental Health

How Menopause and Depression are Connected

September 13, 2023
3 Beneficial Ways Technology Impacting Your Wellness and Health
Technology

3 Beneficial Ways Technology Impacting Your Wellness and Health

September 5, 2023
health software development outsourcing
Technology

Benefits of Outsourcing Healthcare Software Development Services

September 3, 2023
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US
© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?