• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Top 30
    • Research
    • Supply Chain
    • Device Sectors
    • Directory
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Top 30
  • Research
  • Supply Chain
  • Device Sectors
  • Directory
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Reprints
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Cybersecurity Challenges Leave Medical Device Makers Insecure

    OEMs Are Demanding Designs that Challenge Suppliers

    Diabetes Technology Manufacturers Seemingly on a Sugar Rush

    Post-Pandemic Partnerships: A Full-Service Outsourcing Discussion

    Discovering the Value of Surface Treatments and Coatings for Medtech
    OEM News
    Supplier News
    Service / Press Releases
    Online Exclusives
    Press Releases
    People in the News
    Product & Service Releases
    Supplier News
    Medtech Makers
    Technical Features
    International News
    Videos
    Product & Service Releases
    Live From Shows
    Regulatory
    Financial/Business
    Top News
    I-VASC Raises 1.8M Euros in Series A Funding

    Endotronix Shares Positive SIRONA 2 Heart Failure Trial Data

    FDA Clears Truvic's Prodigy Thrombectomy System

    Medical Device CEO Charged With Tax Evasion

    MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—May 21
    From the Editor
    Blogs
    Guest Opinions
    Top Opinions
    Cybersecurity Challenges Leave Medical Device Makers Insecure

    OEMs Are Demanding Designs that Challenge Suppliers

    Diabetes Technology Manufacturers Seemingly on a Sugar Rush

    Post-Pandemic Partnerships: A Full-Service Outsourcing Discussion

    Discovering the Value of Surface Treatments and Coatings for Medtech
    Top 30 Medical Device Companies
    Market Data
    White Papers
    Top Research
    Injecting Neurostimulators into Blood Vessels (We Swear, It’s Not Sci-Fi)

    Understanding the Costs of Care in the OR

    Sick of Being Sick: Pandemic Fatigue Flares at AAOS

    Managing Critical Healthcare Supply Chains in Turbulent Times

    To Drive Value, Human Capital Leaders Turn to Outsourced Solutions
    3D/Additive Manufacturing
    Contract Manufacturing
    Electronics
    Machining & Laser Processing
    Materials
    Molding
    Packaging & Sterilization
    R&D & Design
    Software & IT
    Testing
    Tubing & Extrusion
    Cardiovascular
    Diagnostics
    Digital Health
    Neurological
    Patient Monitoring
    Surgical
    Orthopedics
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Outsourcing Directory
    Trademark Plastics Inc.

    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Cirtec Medical

    Concise Engineering

    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The
    MPO Summit
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Industry Associations
    Videos
    Career Central
    eBook
    Slideshows
    Top Resources
    3D Printing in Dental Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, and Surgery

    What New Tech Can Improve Your Medical Manufacturing Plant?

    Why Medical Device Firms Must Navigate the Muddy Waters of ESG Requirements

    Medical Device Servicing vs. Remanufacturing

    Digital Marketplaces for Medical Equipment Come of Age
    Companies
    News Releases
    Product Releases
    Press Releases
    Product Spec Sheets
    Service Releases
    Case Studies
    White Papers
    Brochures
    Videos
    Outsourcing Directory
    Trademark Plastics Inc.

    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Cirtec Medical

    Concise Engineering

    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The
    • Magazine
      • Current/Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Editions
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • News
    • Directory
      • All Companies
      • ALL CATEGORIES
      • Industry Associations
      • Company Capabilities
      • Add Your Company
    • Supply Chain
      • 3D/Additive Manufacturing
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Electronics
      • Machining & Laser Processing
      • Materials
      • Molding
      • Packaging & Sterilization
      • R&D & Design
      • Software & IT
      • Testing
      • Tubing & Extrusion
    • Device Sectors
      • Cardiovascular
      • Diagnostics
      • Digital Health
      • Neurological
      • Patient Monitoring
      • Surgical
      • Orthopedics
    • Top 30 Company Report
    • Expert Insights
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • eBook
    • Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Research
      • White Papers
      • Case Studies
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Market Data
    • MPO Summit
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Microsite
      • Companies
      • Product Releases
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Services
      • White Papers / Tech Papers
      • Press Releases
      • Videos
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Case Studies
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise with Us
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Online Exclusives

    5 Ways Manufacturers Can Improve IoMT Device Security

    Manufacturers cannot make development and security mistakes with IoMT devices.

    5 Ways Manufacturers Can Improve IoMT Device Security
    Related CONTENT
    • WESTPAK, Inc.
    • BMP Medical - Delivering Custom Plastics Manufactured Solutions
    • NTK Cutting Tools USA
    • Simbex
    • High Tech Turning Co. Inc.
    Emily Newton, Editor-in-Chief, Revolutionized03.23.21
    Smart healthcare requires nigh-impenetrable cybersecurity if it’s going to succeed.
     
    By now, everyone knows smart home devices are vulnerable, such as smart speakers or security cameras. There’s often no way to know where the related data streams are going or who’s listening in. It means we often sacrifice some of our security and privacy to use these convenient devices, which is concerning to many.
     
    However, many common mistakes that occur in IoT (Internet of Things) deployments simply cannot happen with IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) devices or medtech. If sensitive medical information is leaked, or the devices fall under a nefarious actor’s control, the implications are far more severe.
     
    Can you imagine someone’s smart pacemaker, for instance, being affected by a remote hack? Moreover, personal health information goes for a premium on the black market, exceeding thousands of dollars and making it much more lucrative to would-be hackers.
     
    Manufacturers cannot make the same development and security mistakes with IoMT devices. Vulnerabilities in both categories are concerning, but one could result in a major loss of life, so there’s much more on the line.

    Many of the high-security solutions and techniques that show potential in the IoMT industry can also be used for consumer-level IoT technologies.

    1. Segmented Networks with Limited Access
    Regarding cybersecurity, there’s a vast difference between an open network—even a secured one—and one that remains private with limited access. Commercial networks, medical-related especially, should be segmented to restrict the flow of traffic.
     
    Segmentation involves dividing up a network into several parts, with the more restrictive segments locked down and hidden. Most networks broadcast their existence to the general area, but there is a way to prevent this so only those who know the network exists can find it. Moreover, advanced authentication can prevent random or nefarious users from gaining access.
     
    What this might look like in the IoMT world, for example, is servers used to collect and process smart device data would be segmented and hidden. Only authorized users, with the right tools and access protocols, can connect to that network and review or manipulate the data.
     
    More importantly, users can be issued varying access levels, so they might be able to read or review data, for example, but not alter, download, or remove it.

    2. No Encryption, No Use Cases
    Encryption is mission-critical for IoMT devices and medtech platforms. Data being transmitted, stored, processed, or read must always be protected behind advanced levels of encryption.
     
    Encrypted data that’s leaked or snooped on cannot be translated without the proper encryption key. It means even a massive database of personal details can essentially end up unusable without the key. It’s important to understand that encryption can be broken. Yet, the stronger the encryption, the more difficult and time-consuming it is to reverse.
     
    All sensitive and proprietary medical or health data should be encrypted, period. Nothing is ever 100 percent secure, but it provides an additional and much-needed layer of security to the data.
     
    3. Frequent Penetration Testing
    One of the best ways to find weaknesses in the walls of a fortress is to attempt to breach them. Precisely the same is true for smart technologies and IoMT networks. Regular penetration testing can place a spotlight on the most concerning vulnerabilities and security issues.
     
    Additionally, it can help medtech, IT, and security teams come up with a plan of defense if and when there is an attack. They learn how an attacker might try to gain access and what that might look like from the attacking side. It also allows them to build an incredibly accurate risk assessment that can be used to plug many of the existing or potential gaps.
     
    4. Absolute System Integrity
    On mobile platforms and connected devices, regular updates are warranted because they help patch security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and sometimes introduce new features or device support. Unfortunately, the way many of these updates are deployed — over-the-air is the biggest offender—tends to introduce serious security problems.
     
    By accounting for basic device and data integrity, this issue can be mitigated, or it may even eliminate intrusions. The driverless automotive sector is working hard to deploy secure OTA updates to many of its vehicles. It’s easy to understand why they wouldn’t want hackers to gain access to vehicles, especially those already on the road.
     
    Code signing can be used to verify the integrity of update packages sent over-the-air and is just one of many authentication measures that can be used to verify data. Being able to establish and verify data integrity is key.
     
    5. Accounting for Scale
    Right now, scaling isn’t as much of a concern in the IoMT or medtech fields because adoption isn’t rapid or widespread. That will change, and it means all of the security solutions must be ready.
     
    Security platforms that cannot keep up with the growing scale of a network and all connected devices will fail. When that starts to happen, it may also affect other systems, such as remote devices trying to sync up with a server. Smart medical devices that cannot send or receive feedback from a server could prove disastrous, even if they are designed to function locally and offline.
     
    True Security Is Ongoing, and Medtech Is No Exception
    All parties, from manufacturers to software engineers and end-users, must understand that cybersecurity is never a one-and-done event. Throughout the lifetime of a system, regular security updates must be delivered. Appropriate and advanced security methods must be used, such as secure passwords, biometrics, or single-user access. All medical data must be locked down, with access limited to only a select few parties.
     
    Organizations that want to boost their security must establish a proper IT security team with experience and skills to match. They must also focus on developing proper authentication, integrity, and encryption protocols. Furthermore, they must prepare for the growing scale of connections and devices, with segmented networks created for the most sensitive data channels.
     
    Anything short of these proposed strategies creates a highly vulnerable system or device, which could spell disaster.


    Emily Newton is the editor-in-chief of Revolutionized. She’s always excited to learn how the latest industry trends will improve the world. She has over four years of experience covering stories in the science and tech sectors.
    Related Searches
    • Software & IT
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Software & IT
    Suggested For You
    WESTPAK, Inc. WESTPAK, Inc.
    BMP Medical - Delivering Custom Plastics Manufactured Solutions BMP Medical - Delivering Custom Plastics Manufactured Solutions
    NTK Cutting Tools USA NTK Cutting Tools USA
    Simbex Simbex
    High Tech Turning Co. Inc. High Tech Turning Co. Inc.
    Nissha Medical Technologies Nissha Medical Technologies
    sfm medical devices GmbH sfm medical devices GmbH
    Anjon Medical Technologies Anjon Medical Technologies
    IMA Automation North America IMA Automation North America
    Breakthrough Device Designation Granted for New Neuromodulation Platform Breakthrough Device Designation Granted for New Neuromodulation Platform
    Hyperfine Names Paykel, Teisseyre to Executive Leadership Roles Hyperfine Names Paykel, Teisseyre to Executive Leadership Roles
    Accu-Tube Appoints Matthew Haddle as CEO Accu-Tube Appoints Matthew Haddle as CEO
    First CellFX Procedure Performed in Canada First CellFX Procedure Performed in Canada
    Turner Imaging Systems Announces International Expansion Turner Imaging Systems Announces International Expansion
    Heraeus Acquires Mo-Sci Corporation, ETS Technology Holdings Heraeus Acquires Mo-Sci Corporation, ETS Technology Holdings

    Related Content

    • WESTPAK, Inc.

      WESTPAK, Inc.

      ...
      Tim Eells, WESTPAK, Inc. 03.04.22

    • BMP Medical - Delivering Custom Plastics Manufactured Solutions

      BMP Medical - Delivering Custom Plastics Manufactured Solutions

      Medical Contract Manufacturing, Design, Assembly & Packaging

    • NTK Cutting Tools USA

      ...
      Melissa Singher, Senior Product Coordinator 11.22.21


    • Simbex

      ...
      Greg Lange, Chief Business Development Officer 11.15.21

    • High Tech Turning Co. Inc.

      ...
      Fred Sophis, Sales 11.02.21


      Breaking News
      • I-VASC Raises 1.8M Euros in Series A Funding
      • Endotronix Shares Positive SIRONA 2 Heart Failure Trial Data
      • FDA Clears Truvic's Prodigy Thrombectomy System
      • RSIP Vision Develops New AI Tool for Prostate MRI Analysis
      • Medical Device CEO Charged With Tax Evasion
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      May 2022

      • Cybersecurity Challenges Leave Medical Device Makers Insecure
      • Contract Design for Medtech
      • Diabetes Medical Device Technology Update
      • Medtech Full-Service Outsourcing Q&A 2022

      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe
      Nutraceuticals World

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Vitafoods Europe 2022 Attendance Returns to 2019 Level
      Beyond Raw Launches Concept X Pre-Workout Line
      Botanical Ingredient MorActive Evidenced to Relieve Back Discomfort
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      PPG’s Diane Kappas Recognized as ‘Woman of Influence’ by Pittsburgh Business Times
      BEHR Launches COPPER FORCE Interior Paint
      A New Kind of Primer: Demand for Interior and Exterior Paint Experts Remains High, J.D. Power Finds
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      I-VASC Raises 1.8M Euros in Series A Funding
      Endotronix Shares Positive SIRONA 2 Heart Failure Trial Data
      FDA Clears Truvic's Prodigy Thrombectomy System
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Thermo Fisher, Qatar Genome Program Partner to Advance Precision Medicine
      CPC Launches AseptiQuik Genderless Connector
      Aptamer Group and PinotBio Extend Collaboration Agreement
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      L’Oréal USA Names Han Wen as Chief Digital & Marketing Officer
      NPD Group Reports on Rising E-commerce Sales in China for Prestige Beauty
      Noon Aesthetics Celebrates Ten Years with New Skincare Products
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Gabriel Letizia Jr. Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Falsifying Sunscreen Test Results
      Coptis Appoints Marie Renee Thadal Vice President of Sales and Operations
      Han Wen Appointed L’Oréal’s New Chief Digital, Marketing Officer
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      Weekly Recap: Zeller+Gmelin, Sun Chemical and Kornit Top This Week’s News
      Nazdar Celebrates 100 Years with a New Look
      hubergroup Chemicals Exhibits at Paint India for First Time
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      Avery Dennison announces Core Series Portfolio Tape Selector App
      HP Indigo reaches 2,000th active install milestone
      Brook + Whittle's new acquisition, SunDance goes to HP and more
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      Ahlstrom-Munksjö Announces Reorganization of Decor Business Ownership
      Jones Names COO
      Ontex Conducts Pilot Program of Digital Incontinence Care Solution
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Tom Hedman Named Senior Principal Scientist at Spinal Simplicity
      ODT's Most Read Stories This Week—May 21
      FDA Clears Anika Therapeutics' X-Twist Knotless Fixation System
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      Weekly Recap: Graphene Flagship, Japan Display and LG Display Top This Week’s Stories
      Evonik Launches New Processing Aids for PV Wafer Cutting
      NREL Creates Highest Efficiency 1-Sun Solar Cell

      Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login