Medical device cyber attacks can be the most dangerous form of cyber-attacks, as people’s lives are put in danger. Having medical devices that have a low-security system can have a negative impact on your health, as cyber-attackers have access to vital health information.
How to Prevent Cyber Attacks on Your Medical Devices
Here are 4 techniques that manufacturers should use to prevent cyber-attacks:
1. Ensure they are Designed with Security in Mind
From the very beginning, all medical devices need to have a clear, laid-out design that includes all of its features and cyber attack controls. One of the simplest ways to ensure that your medical device is designed with security in mind is to look at the company’s stakeholders; how data travels between them, who has access to certain data and who owns the data. A threat model can be then be produced and those who do not need access to the data can be locked out.
2. Conduct a Risk Assessment
One of the most effective ways to protect your medical devices from cyber attacks is through conducting a risk assessment on your current devices. This involves identifying any weak points, security threats and vulnerabilities that pose threats to your device’s security. The risk assessment can then work to improve on the areas that are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, as well as improve the overall security of your device.
3. Consider a Security Alert
A security alert is the simplest way to improve your medical devices from cyber-attacks. You simply review any breaches, viruses or threats to your medical device over the last year. You are then able to identify exactly how and where they are coming from. Once you have this information, you know exactly where to improve. The only downside to this technique is that you have to fall victim to a cyber attack first. Be sure to make use of an intrusion detection system that monitors your system and detects any malicious activity and reports it to you.
4. Conduct Penetration Testing
This is a method that is commonly used by institutions, such as banks and law firms. These institutions hire a professional ‘hacker’ to attempt to breach their security. Should medical device manufacturers make use of this service, the organisation will be able to see just how easy it is for cyber-attackers to gain access to data and information, cause disruption to organisational processes and operations and, possibly, have a negative, or even tragic, impact on the patients health or recovery. Penetration testing has proven to be one of the best ways to identify the various weaknesses and vulnerabilities in your security system.
Find Secure Medical Devices from Glenmed Online Now
At Glenmed, we pride ourselves on our quality medical devices and putting our patients’ safety above anything else. Order your medical devices from us today or feel free to drop us a call, we would be happy to talk you through any concerns you may have.