That Medical Device May Be Vulnerable to Hacking
As our world becomes more connected and dependent on technology, we’ve all had to learn a valuable lesson: anything can be hacked — including medical devices. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that some medical devices are vulnerable to hackers. What’s worse, if hackers are able to gain access to a device, they may be able to interfere with its function and/or prevent it from delivering much-needed medical care. Hacks are difficult to detect. Therefore, you are your own first line of defense. How can you tell if your device is being hacked? Watch out for the signs mentioned below.
How Hackers Can Gain Access to Medical Devices
To bring awareness to the problem, hackers have revealed that they can access medical devices and do all sorts of horrific things. In 2012, a hacker was able to demonstrate that he could hack a pacemaker and make it deliver a fatal electric shock to the wearer. A similar incident was demonstrated with an insulin pump. But how? How are they gaining access to these devices?
Devices that are connected to other networks and/or wireless devices are vulnerable to attack if any part of the network is penetrable. For example, if a device is connected to unsecured wifi, it doesn’t matter how secure the software of a hospital network is. Hackers can gain access from the unsecured home network. And, since patients, hospitals and device manufacturers all have some form of access to the device, there’s a lot of potential for vulnerabilities.
The Most Vulnerable Types of Devices
Medical devices that are connected to networks are the most vulnerable, says the Association of American Medical Colleges. This includes medical devices like implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, insulin pumps and other drug-infusion pumps, such as those used to supply antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs. All of these types of devices are connected remotely to a central information hub. In other words, any device that sends information to a hospital and/or doctor is vulnerable to hacking.
Detecting and Preventing Possible Attacks
It can be difficult to detect when a device is being hacked. However, it may begin to malfunction or act differently than normal. If this occurs, patients should contact a doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention. It’s also a good idea to speak with a doctor about devices and their vulnerability in general. Knowing a device is vulnerable can be the best first defense in terms of monitoring and watching for signs.
Hospitals and cybersecurity professionals continue to work on thwarting attacks by hackers. Additionally, medical professionals and device manufacturers continue to receive cybersecurity training in order to prevent and recognize attacks, but right now, patients are their own best defenders.
If you or someone you love depends on a connected medical device, you should be aware that it may be vulnerable to hacking. Speak with the device provider about the best way to prevent hacking and the signs to watch out for. Also, it’s vital to tell a provider about any irregularities in the function of the device and remember to perform all recommended software updates.
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