Medical Device Encryption & Security

Safeguarding Medical Devices through Robust Encryption and Security Protocols

In today’s healthcare landscape, where interconnected devices and digital information sharing are the norm, implementing robust encryption and security measures is more critical than ever. The proliferation of the Internet of Healthcare Things (IoHT) has ushered in unprecedented opportunities for streamlined patient care and improved clinical outcomes. However, these technological advancements have also introduced new vulnerabilities that must be addressed proactively.

Strong data encryption is crucial to safeguarding sensitive patient information and ensuring the integrity of medical device data storage and communications. By employing industry-standard encryption algorithms and secure key management practices, healthcare organizations can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential tampering with life-saving equipment.

Furthermore, a comprehensive security strategy encompassing device authentication, access control mechanisms, and regular software updates is essential. Rigorous testing and validation processes must be in place to identify and address potential security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead of emerging threats and adopting a proactive, defense-in-depth approach to medical device security will be crucial. By prioritizing encryption and security protocols, healthcare providers can foster a trusted environment that protects patient privacy, maintains data integrity, and ensures the reliable operation of critical medical technologies.

Electronic Medical Devices (EMDs) are the computerized instruments that come into direct contact with patients and are used in diagnoses and treatments. In an increasingly interconnected ecosystem, they can be responsible for critical data security risks. The proliferation of these devices across the entire healthcare industry in the last decade has provided extra convenience for both organizations and patients alike. Integrated applications have facilitated the collection, sharing and analysis of patient data, with the goal of more coherent, comprehensive care. In 2015, the United States medical device market was valued above $140 billion, which accounted for nearly 45% of the global market. By 2024, that sum had climbed to $180 billion, with projections of nearly $330 billion for 2034.

Connected devices have helped to better manage healthcare in a variety of ways, including improved patient care and increased productivity for medical professionals. The caveat is that the attack surface for cyber thieves has become a gaping chasm, thanks to the complexity of the data, healthcare industry, and sensitive nature of the patient data. This reality calls for organizations across the healthcare ecosystem to take a closer look at the deployment and management of them to ensure they are mitigating the risk of a breach. Not unlike the healthcare industry overall, which has historically lagged behind when it comes to data security, medical device manufacturers have also not made security a top priority.

Code Blue: You’ve been hacked

Hackers are taking advantage of security holes on devices at an alarming rate, causing concern on multiple levels. A hacked device could put a patient’s life in jeopardy. Medical devices also connect to a wide array of sensors and monitors, making them vulnerable points of entry to hospital networks. This interconnectivity could lead to massive ransomware attacks and theft of personal health information. Unlike servers, which are usually physically protected behind doors or even cages, medical devices are often right out in the open: imaging systems, surgical devices, patient monitors and other systems are located in easily-accessible shared spaces.

Based on recent research, 89% of all healthcare organizations are vulnerable to publicly available exploits of medical devices on the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), while 99% contain known exploited vulnerabilities. One-fifth of hospital information systems that manage patient, administrative and financial data have insecure internet connections and contain vulnerabilities linked to ransomware.

Legacy technology is another vulnerability, as older devices can expose organizations to numerous risks to their data security. Even unskilled cyber criminals can gain initial access to unpatched internal networks. Any patches, moreover, can take a year to implement on unsupported operating systems.

Less than one-fifth of global healthcare organizations in 2021 had all medical equipment on up to date software. For 37%, a major reason was due to the sheer costs of full upgrades, while others face issues of compatibility or insufficient knowledge.

Defending Your Devices

Because these devices are deeply connected to the healthcare system and store so much data, it’s only natural that they pose major security risks as well. A cart the nurse rolls up to you to measure your vital signs is itself an access point for malicious agents. Security thus becomes of utmost importance to everyone involved: from the providers to the device manufacturers, from regulators to the patients themselves.

When there is a data breach, medical information inevitably shows up on the black markets of the dark web. Consider this:

In 2024, medical records could fetch up to $500 per patient if not more, for the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and other sensitive data they contain, which can facilitate a flexible variety of fraud.
Studies also show that in 2024 alone, the personal health data of over 276 million people was exposed or stolen, averaging over 758,000 records per day.
For the breached providers, the consequences can be severe, whether they be legal or reputational.

FDA Cybersecurity Regulations for Medical Devices

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), responsible for ensuring medical devices provide benefits that outweigh potential risks to patients, initiated a comprehensive process for evaluating device cybersecurity as a criterion for product approval in 2013. Since then, the agency has consistently updated its regulations, issuing new rules and guidance for medical device manufacturers (MDMs) and other healthcare organizations to address evolving cybersecurity threats.

The FDA’s recommendations for mitigating and managing cybersecurity risks include the following:

MDMs are accountable for maintaining vigilance in identifying risks and hazards associated with their medical devices, including those related to cybersecurity vulnerabilities. They must implement appropriate mitigation strategies to address patient safety risks and ensure proper device performance.
Healthcare facilities should conduct thorough evaluations of their network security measures and implement robust safeguards to protect their systems from potential cyber threats.
By adhering to these guidelines, MDMs and healthcare organizations can proactively address cybersecurity concerns, ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical devices while protecting sensitive patient data and critical infrastructure.

NetLib Security: Your Preferred Provider for Medical Device Encryption and Security

For more than 25 years, NetLib Security has been a leader and pioneer in data security. We recognize the importance of managing and defending your personal health information (PHI) and electronic health records (EHR) in order to maintain business stability, reputation and compliance.

Our patented, high performance data security platform, Encryptionizer, is easy-to-use and deploy, transparently encrypts your data across physical, virtual and cloud environments while maintaining business stability with virtually no impact on performance. It also helps meet the compliance requirements of HIPAA Omnibus, GDPR and other privacy regulations around the world by encrypting PHI and EHR. Encryptionizer has become an increasingly integral component for companies executing HIPAA Omnibus and HITECH compliance strategies.

At NetLib Security, we understand cybersecurity threats cannot be completely eliminated; however, working with hospitals, providers, healthcare organizations, and device manufacturers, we provide you with the tools to protect, manage and defend against them.

About NetLib Security

NetLib Security has spent more than 20 years developing a powerful, patented solution that starts by setting up a formidable offense for every environment where your data resides: physical, virtual and cloud. Our platform simplifies the process while ensuring high levels of security.

Simplify your data security needs. Encryptionizer is easy to deploy. It’s a cost-effective way to proactively and transparently protect your sensitive data that allows you to quickly and confidently meet your security requirements. With budget considerations in mind, we have designed an affordable data security platform that protects, manages, and defends your data, while responding to the ever changing compliance requirements. No coding changes required.

Data breaches are expensive. Security does not have to be.

NetLib Security works with government agencies, healthcare organizations, small to large enterprises, financial services, credit card processors, distributors, and resellers to provide a flexible data security solution that meets their evolving needs. To learn more or request a free evaluation visit us at www.netlibsecurity.com.