Medical Devices Need Better Cyber Security

Rapid advances in computer science, engineering and electronics have led to a new generation of connected medical devices that permit access to real-time patient data and the opportunity to monitor and adjust treatment remotely. Cyber security for medical devices is critical in retaining the trust consumers place in health care companies for how the technology is used, and how health information is protected. 

While manufacturers can ensure a high level of safety through testing, the security of connected devices (IoT), from pacemakers to monitoring devices, remains a growing and moving target.

The University of Minnesota has established a new Center for Medical Device Cybersecurity (CMDC). The center will foster university-industry-government collaborations to ensure that medical devices are both safe and secure from the growing number of cyber security threats. The CMDC is founded and funded in large part by five US leading health industry companies. These include Boston Scientific, Smiths Medical, Optum, Medtronic, and Abbott Laboratories. Industry members are invited to take part in the CMDC Steering Committee and additional members will be actively recruited over the next two years.

In addition to the founding corporations, additional industry representatives will be actively recruited to the center steering committee over the next two years. "Cybersecurity for medical devices is critical in retaining the trust consumers place in healthcare companies for how the technology is used, and how health information is protected," said Allison Miller, chief information security officer for Optum, in a statement.  “By partnering with academic organisations, industry experts, and our peers we can help formulate policies, regulatory proposals and state-of-the-art testing so that we not only support the long-term success of secure medical devices, but also protect the patients who rely on medical devices for their care therapies,” 

As part of its inaugural year, the center is hosting roundtables and a hackathon, organising networking and training opportunities, establishing a medical device cybersecurity short course that TLI is launching this fall and developing a medical device cybersecurity summer internship program.

I_HLS:    University of Minnesota:     MinneInno:     GoHealthyGo:       Universtity of Minnesota:     

Image: Piqsels

You Might Also Read:

How To Prevent Healthcare Data Breaches:

 

« French Government Ministers Bugged
Cyber Crime Just Keeps On Growing »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

Infosecurity Europe, 3-5 June 2025, ExCel London

Infosecurity Europe, 3-5 June 2025, ExCel London

This year, Infosecurity Europe marks 30 years of bringing the global cybersecurity community together to further our joint mission of Building a Safer Cyber World.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

Firebrand

Firebrand

Firebrand is the leader in Accelerated Learning in the field of IT and project management.

Lloyd's

Lloyd's

As an insurance market, Lloyd’s can provide access to more than 65 expert cyber risk insurers in one place.

Foregenix

Foregenix

Foregenix are global specialists in Digital Forensics and information security including Penetration testing and Website Security.

Cyber Exec

Cyber Exec

Cyber Exec is an executive search firm dedicated to global talent acquisition in Cyber Security, Information Technology, Defense...

OneVisage

OneVisage

Our award-winning 3DAuth digital identity platform turns any consumer mobile device into a real-time 3D facial scanner that securely authenticates the user in seconds.

Sompo International

Sompo International

Sompo International is a global specialty provider of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance services including Cyber & Network Risk.

2Keys

2Keys

2Keys designs, deploys and operates Digital Identity Platforms and Cyber Security Platforms through Managed Service and Professional Service engagements.

Cord3

Cord3

Cord3 delivers data protection, even from trusted administrators – or hackers posing as administrators – with high privilege.

ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft is a provider of software development and IT consulting services including Information Security.

Robo Shadow

Robo Shadow

Robo Shadow are trying to bridge the gap between the top tier organisations that can afford everything and everyone else who has to “Make it up as they go along” when it comes to Cyber.

WithSecure

WithSecure

WithSecure (formerly F-Secure Business) is your reliable cyber security partner, providing outcome-based cyber security that protects and enables operations.

Ethiopian Cybersecurity Association (ECySA)

Ethiopian Cybersecurity Association (ECySA)

ECySA was formed to play an influential part in the ongoing and dawning cybersecurity practices of Ethiopia, efficiently creating public and private awareness on all kinds of cyber risks and threats.

Actelis Networks

Actelis Networks

Actelis Networks is a market leader in cyber-hardened, rapid deployment networking solutions for wide-area IoT applications.

Dotsquares

Dotsquares

Dotsquares leverage the latest web and mobile technologies to build, grow and support your business.

Invisily

Invisily

Invisily makes enterprise and cloud computing resources invisible to attackers with zero trust solutions, making them visible only when needed to only those who need them.

ELK Analytics

ELK Analytics

ELK Analytics is a specialized Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) that focuses on endpoint security and monitoring & alerting for any type of structured or unstructured data.