Are You Sure Your Medical Practice’s Devices Are Secure?
Did you know that as of 2023, there are approximately 15 billion connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices, nearly twice the total global population. This notable statistic emphasizes the widespread growth and significant impact of IoT technology.
This technology, from wearables to office space appliances, has become a big part of the healthcare world — are you sure it’s secure enough to trust with your patients’ data?
What Is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
The IoT is a natural evolution of the Internet, consisting of a range of new “smart” and “connected” products and technologies for the commercial, consumer, and government environments.
Vendors are rushing to meet the growing market demand for new products that are always-on, connected, and available. The ever-expanding network of IoT devices offers a range of convenient benefits to consumers and offers exciting applications in the business world.
Whether it’s a smart fridge in the home, a smart display sign out front of a McDonald’s, or the smart console in a user’s car, IoT devices can vary greatly in purpose and usage. IoT devices are even being used in the healthcare space.
IoT In Healthcare
It is estimated that the global IoT in healthcare market size is projected to grow from USD 127.7 billion in 2023 to USD 289.2 billion by 2028.
IoT devices are transforming the healthcare industry, enhancing healthcare services, and leading to improved patient care outcomes. IoT devices are utilized in healthcare for various purposes, such as:
- Patient Monitoring and Communication
- Patient Engagement and Education
- Data Analytics and Insights
- Smart Medical Devices
- Asset Tracking
- Remote Patient Care and Monitoring:
- Electronic health implants
- Preventive Maintenance
Are IoT Devices Secure?
IoT devices are not necessarily secure. Unfortunately, aspects of product security and lifecycle are often treated as an afterthought, at best, in the development and production of these products. More and more of us are buying devices for our homes and offices, and even devices that we carry with us that require a connection to the Internet.
Have you stopped to consider the risks?
As a so-far unregulated aspect of the IT world, IoT devices have often been developed with minimal or nonexistent security features, even though they often connect over networks to sensitive data.
The importance of IoT security stems from the fact that an IoT device has the potential to be exploited as a gateway for unauthorized access into your systems. If your IoT devices aren’t safeguarded, cybercriminals can do a lot of damage to your practice including:
- Eavesdropping and Surveillance: Intercepting network traffic to capture information.
- Physical Security Breaches: Disabling critical assets like refrigeration and alarm systems.
- Device Manipulation: Controlling utilities such as thermostats.
- Identity Spoofing: Insecure IoT devices can impersonate identities, granting unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems.
- Service Disruption: Insecure IoT devices can disrupt services, impacting operations and patient care.
Worried You’re Not Protecting ePHI on loT Devices?
Sourcepass can help properly set up your network with robust security solutions to help secure your IoT devices. We can help you:
- Mitigate compliance risks and enhance organizational visibility.
- Create a flexible and scalable IT environment capable of seamlessly integrating new data sources.
- Conduct thorough vulnerability scanning, generate detailed reports, and retain comprehensive logs.
- Instill confidence in your clients by ensuring the proper protection of their valuable data.
No matter what type of medical practice you operate, you don’t want to put your patients’ data at risk. We can help you keep ePHI safe. For more information, contact Germany Caushi, Cyber Risk Advisor, at (877) 678-8080.
