Medtech Magazine: Cybersecurity is Critical to Patient Safety

* * * Cybersecurity within medical technology is a critical patient safety issue, according to a recent report in Medtech Magazine. Joakim Mark, Technical Manager for Cybersecurity at Intertek, emphasized the potentially life-threatening vulnerabilities of connected medical devices at Medtechdagen. Mark highlighted the risk of unauthorized access, presenting a scenario where a hacker could seize control of connected surgical equipment during an operation. Medtech Magazine underscores the plausibility of such an event, citing vulnerabilities in devices like insulin pumps and surgical robots as concrete examples of existing threats. Academic research corroborates these concerns. Researchers at the University of Washington successfully gained access to a surgical robot, demonstrating the potential for malicious attacks even in controlled environments. The report concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures in the medical technology field to safeguard patient safety and ensure the reliable operation of these essential systems.