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connected devices changing livesYou walk into any hospital or healthcare clinic these days and you will run into a connected computer network with lots of devices connected to it. This is a version of the Internet of Things (IoT) that has provided new capabilities to an industry that looks for new ways to help provide better services for their customers. These new devices not only connect to the Internet, but they also help to provide critical care to the patient. Without the proper security measures in place, these devices can be compromised. This will not only put the organization at risk, but it may cost someone’s life depending on the type of attack that is carried out against the device hardware. Connected Devices Smart devices have become ubiquitous in the healthcare industry these days. Some of the wireless smart devices that you can see in a hospital or clinic are:
These devices will transmit the data they collect to a centralized location where the information can be monitored by the staff. This allows for a more coordinated care if the individual patient while also being the most cost effective for the hospital. Benefits of IoT The benefits of utilizing and adoption of IoT devices within the healthcare industry can have dramatic effects on the healthcare that patients receive from their providers. From the increased effectiveness of the providers, to the ability to diagnose and prevent possible complications before they happen. The additional sensors that are able to be leveraged to track additional data points that might be left out of the diagnosis process. Having the ability to monitor a patient on many levels within a facility or even remotely, enables a healthcare organization to facilitate better care of their patients. Unique devices can be created or developed that accomplish specific tasks or multiple tasks depending on the need of the organization. Some devices are specific niche applications while others are for a more broad range of usages. Connecting smart devices to the network and creating an enhanced service to offer potential patients may be the driving force for the adoption of IoT devices, but security of the devices should be considered as well. Especially when someone’s life may depend on it. Internet of Vulnerabilities
The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow in size and capacity within the networked healthcare infrastructure. The key for the use of new smart technologies is to secure (harden) the network and access to the devices that are connected on the network. Instead of these devices playing music, like Amazon’s Alexa, they are integrated into the healthcare service provided by the caregivers. These new smart devices are integrated in the care and monitoring of patients, which makes security a life or death possibility. The IoT networked devices don’t have the security that one might think. These devices were made to connect to a network with very little interaction with the IT staff or the IT Security Professional. In the healthcare industry, we need to make sure that this is different in that security should be at the forefront of the development process. The increased usage of IoT devices, security still needs to be a forethought, not an afterthought in the development of these devices. The vulnerabilities that currently plague the healthcare IoT networks and devices are:
Solutions Needed In order to address the vulnerabilities that continue to plague the healthcare IoT devices, developers and users need to demand that they are addressed. Whether it is additional software or application support for complicated functions that enhance device security. Elimination of bad security practices will go a long way in creating more secure IoT devices. While there is still a lot of novelty feeling behind the use of smart devices within the healthcare setting. We should realize that we are dealing with patient’s health and the devices could have the potential to effect their very lives. If we look the other way and don’t find a solution for these insecure devices we are not helping our organizations be more secure. In fact, we are putting them in a position to have a greater potential liability due to improper use of IT Security controls. Nobody wants a patient’s death on their hands, but when you employ IoT devices within a hospital and leave gaping holes in the security configuration of those devices, that could be a potential outcome. Summary While there are still many security concerns with the adoption of new technologies. The healthcare industry is moving forward with the quick adoption of technologies that help to save the lives of their patients. Nevertheless, it is not just about the patient, it is also about the security of the devices and the ability of them to be compromised over the network. While some of the networked device makers will address these issues, others are slow to adapt to it. Which leaves the whole industry at risk of providing a needed service that patient's will question the security of. As a potential patient of these providers, I would want them to address the security vulnerabilities and make sure that the devices that they employ in my health care have been secured in a manner that makes them safe for me, but also for the others that may use them as well. It should be all about the protection of the patient and their health. After all, isn't that the reason why you are in healthcare in the first place?
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