Why the FDA investigation of medical devices cybersecurity

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Why the FDA investigation of medical devices cybersecurity -


Health care providers have long sensed a threat to medical devices and systems that use wireless connectivity thread. Hospital information systems have dealt with hackers to access their files and corrupting their systems, but the threat of implanted medical devices is even greater.

In 08, researchers at the Medical Device Security Center found that implantable cardiac defibrillators using a pacemaker technology could be hacked wirelessly with potentially fatal results. These products used unencrypted radio signals, allowing an attacker access to the device if he or she was in range.

The researchers of this study have access to patient data, adjust how the device would respond to cardiac events, and induce fibrillation. Essentially, it showed that a hacker could turn a device off or administering a potentially lethal shock.

In 2011, a researcher demonstrated at the Black Hat security conference that he could hack into his own insulin pump. With only the serial number of the device, he was able to set the parameters remotely. He also wrote a program that could scroll through the available numbers to find the serial target device number. This would give the attacker the ability to administer a potentially lethal dose of insulin. Though both attacks were hypothetical, this research has shone a light on a glaring flaw in the way work wireless medical devices.

Get involved government

The researcher who hacked his insulin pump successfully drew attention public to the issue of cybersecurity for medical devices. Reps Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) asked the Office of the Government's responsibility to review the safety of wireless medical devices. In 2012, the Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board urged the FDA to take steps to ensure that medical devices are safe.

Following a panel discussion on the topic, the Board noted several important issues. Among them, a lack of government accountability and oversight for cyber security of medical devices and the vulnerability of medical devices in the unsecured family. The Board recommended that the FDA take full responsibility of the government to oversee cybersecurity medical devices.

FDA Response to Cyber ​​medical devices

In June 2013, the FDA issued a draft guidance entitled "Content Premarket Submissions for the management of cybersecurity in medical devices. "The project identifies potential risks associated with medical devices and submissions premarket addresses for these devices, including prior notification to marketing applications for approval before marketing and product development protocols. The same month, the FDA issued "Cybersecurity for medical devices and hospital networks :. FDA Safety Communication. "This document urges device manufacturers and health care facilities to actively put in place safeguards that protect medical devices cyberattack

Less than a year later, the FDA and the national information sharing on health and analysis Center concluded a memorandum of understanding. the collaboration was formed to encourage stakeholders of public health to pursue new innovations in cyber security. it also hopes to create a basic confidence in the public health sector where manufacturers and health care providers can openly share cybersecurity vulnerabilities and work together to solve these problems.

FDA public Workshop on medical devices and health care cybersecurity

October is National cybersecurity awareness Month, and the FDA has used this opportunity to host a public workshop on October 21-22, 2014, entitled "collaborative approaches for medical devices and cybersecurity health care. "the workshop, organized in collaboration with the Department of Homeland security and the Department of health and Human services, discussed the unique security challenges present with advanced medical technology today.

the workshop was to create a collaborative environment where participants could address the risk assessment frameworks for medical devices, identify security problems in the industry, and develop tools for creating a cyber security program for the sector. The workshop program included topics such as "The shortcomings of cybersecurity and challenges: the need to share versus need to guarantee" "The models for information sharing and assessment of shared risks" and

the real dangers of the medical Device hacking

clearly hacking medical devices is a pressing concern and that the vulnerabilities can pose a very real threat. in 2013, former vice- President Dick Cheney revealed that he had wireless capabilities disabled in his pacemaker when the device was implanted in 07. Although this is prior to the media coverage of cyber security threats to medical devices, it shows how very real the threat may be In an interview with CBS, Cheney said. "I am aware of the danger, if you will, that existed."

The TV series "Homeland" highlighted the potential threat posed to medical devices by working an attack of cybersecurity in its plot. While some might argue that this is just fictional television drama, Cheney said he found credible the rebound.

While the medical devices and systems have long been vulnerable to hackers, the growing concern now relates to implantable devices as more of them are coming with wireless connectivity. Customers want insulin pumps they can monitor with smartphone applications. Pacemakers that can transmit patient data to medical providers help providers make decisions in emergency situations. The advantages of this technology are many, but when doctors and patients have access to their devices and data, there is the risk of pirates on their way as well.

Fortunately, although piracy potential is there, there were no cases of malicious hacking implanted medical devices. Researchers have demonstrated the potential of these hacks on either their own or those who are not actually implanted in a patient.

Although hacking medical devices is still mostly a hypothetical concern, it is prudent that the FDA now turn, as he did with his workshop on the subject. With new security measures in place, patients can rest easier knowing that their devices are protected.

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