Posted by Healthcare has always been at the forefront of innovation, with hospitals and healthcare providers keen to embrace any innovation that would result in better, more efficient, and more inexpensive care. Medical technology, from pill cameras and implantable gadgets to laser surgery and enhanced monitoring procedures, is all about improving patient outcomes. Although medical institutions and patients are increasingly concerned about the security of IoT-enabled gadgets, the latest wave of innovative items has raised questions about the dangers that lurk in the shadows.
Legislation pertaining to the Internet of Things (IoT) security will go into effect in several jurisdictions throughout the world in the near future. Consumers will be in a better position if they take action now to mitigate risk when it is required by law. IoT security is a life-or-death issue when it comes to the healthcare industry. When used in healthcare, Internet of Things (IoT) devices are saving lives. By streamlining therapy and monitoring, they’re empowering patients and boosting compliance. This type of constant monitoring and analysis would be impossible without the use of technology. Healthcare providers have access to up-to-date information via these devices, allowing them to serve their patients better while also achieving improved outcomes. Personal healthcare, activity monitoring, and fitness tracking are just a few of the many uses for wearable sensors that have lately emerged as useful tools for healthcare applications. Additionally, researchers have proposed novel clinical uses for such technology in remote health monitoring systems, including the ability to record long-term patient status and provide doctors with remote access to their patients’ physiological data.
Risks in Healthcare IoT Security
Nevertheless, every smart gadget connected to the network poses a risk to any business, whether medical or not. Here are some major risks and conflicts that could arise with the adoption of IoT in healthcare.
- Unauthorized access
The majority of IoT devices and software run on public cloud infrastructures, which are multi-tenant. This means that specific protective measures should be implemented to prevent other unauthorized users from intentionally or inadvertently accessing the data of other tenants.
- DDoS attack
When a target is overwhelmed by a flood of Internet traffic, distributed denial of service (DDoS) occurs. DDoS assaults cause operations to be disrupted, rendering medical services inaccessible.
- Hijack of a device
Also referred to as medjacking, device hijacking is the act of seizing control of medical devices in order to steal patient data or infect them with malware. In the worst-case situation, technology might be utilized to injure patients directly.
- Personal Health Information Disclosure (PHI)
Generally, only medical workers directly involved in the patient’s treatment or the patient’s primary caregivers have access to PHI. As a result of an intrusion, criminals may copy, modify, or corrupt this data.
- Privacy violations
Criminals place a high premium on sensitive patient data, such as demographic information, credit card and social security numbers. A security flaw in IoT devices may operate as a gateway, welcoming them in.
- Conflicts over data ownership
The ownership of IoT data is still a source of contention. While consumers may naturally think that the data they collect through wearables is theirs, in actuality, ownership may be determined by the country or state’s legislation. The same is true for user location data; while most users wish to keep it private, it is frequently disclosed to third parties.
Evidently, healthcare IoT security continues to face numerous challenges. However, over time, businesses have developed industry standards for preserving patient data and maintaining the security of medical IoT.
Best Security Practices for Embedded Healthcare
Organizations should take preventative actions instead of dealing with the financial and reputational consequences of an IoT breach. To protect their medical devices, medical equipment, and software from cyber-attacks, healthcare organizations use the following best practices.
- Network segmentation
Network segmentation is a method used to protect the network from outside intrusions. To better manage network traffic, administrators divide a company’s network into multiple subnets, each with its own set of rules.
- Security systems powered by AI
There is an increase in the sophistication of attacks, and standard firewalls and antiviral software can no longer keep up. The new AI-driven cybersecurity solutions are capable of detecting and eradicating unknown threats, whereas legacy systems are only able to eliminate known threats. Tools like this monitor unusual activity and spot changes in user habits, allowing administrators to remain on top of any security threats.
- IoT aggregation hubs
IoT aggregation hubs connect IoT devices in a separate network so that consumers can monitor and control them. This makes it easier for them to manage traffic and settings, as well as protect them from criminals.
- Tracking systems for inventory
It can be difficult to keep track of the devices connected to consumers’ networks, as some of them may belong to clients or patients. Discovering the network’s devices, setting up maintenance and updates, and identifying security risks are all made easier using inventory software.
- Protection of the hardware
On a hardware level, each medical device is at risk of being infected by a rogue chip being installed. It is common for corporations to encrypt and seal their ports so that only authorized users can access them. In addition, real-time monitoring of a device’s activities helps to identify suspicious behavior.
- EMI protection
Electromagnetic interference is on the rise due to the proliferation of technological devices. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a term that describes a problem that we are now confronted with on a daily basis. It is possible for organizations to safeguard a device from unwanted interference by creating a metal frame around it.
- Encryption of data
When it comes to transferring data securely across the Internet of Things, encryption is a need. These devices use asymmetric lightweight cryptography (LWCRYPT) approaches, and IoT sensors contain encryption keys for establishing secured channels for the devices and their users.
- Authentication
If consumers want to avoid data theft and hacker incursions, an extensive authentication method is a need. Complex authentication should be in place to maintain the highest level of security even if an attempt to access originates from within the business. It’s also a good idea to implement standards governing who and when patients’ data can be accessed.
Conclusion
Patients, cloud service providers, doctors, or regulatory authorities might all bear responsibility if a security compromise occurs in the healthcare industry. A malware assault, data theft, or infiltration can be a nightmare to cope with if preventative measures are not taken. COVID-19, in particular, has proven to be a boon to the convenience of connecting. In order to deal with the COVID patient load and alleviate overworked healthcare personnel, organizations that were not highly connected had to race to catch up at the time the pandemic struck. The COVID-19 epidemic has led to a rise in telemedicine and remote work, making vigilance even more important at a time when healthcare institutions are struggling to keep up. Today, every healthcare company must figure out how to maximize the benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology while minimizing the risks—ideally to zero—associated with it.