The FBI has warned that healthcare providers using outdated medical devices could have profound cybersecurity implications.
The American intelligence service stated earlier this week that medical devices having these flaws may not only affect the day-to-day operations of hospitals and clinics, but may also jeopardise the safety of patients.
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Insulin pumps, defibrillators and pacemakers are among the life-saving pieces of apparatus that contain these security vulnerabilities.
Raj Samani, SVP Chief Scientist at Rapid7, said: “It’s imperative that organisations acknowledge the importance of security and privacy within the healthcare sector, and more specifically for medical devices. Therefore, having public sector agencies such as the FBI, warning on the issue is critical.
“However, it should also be mentioned that there are many organisations within the healthcare sector committed to cybersecurity. Healthcare and cybersecurity vendors are working together in order to remediate vulnerabilities within their devices.
“For example, in our research on vulnerabilities in infusion pumps, Baxter Healthcare supported in remediating the issue and responsibly reporting the vulnerability. It shows there is a clear push to improve cybersecurity within the industry, and support from the FBI can only further strengthen this cause.”
