As the healthcare industry accelerates its integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, the implications for medical device security are becoming increasingly urgent. The integration of AI into medical devices is revolutionizing healthcare, but with these advancements come new information security risks that demand urgent attention.
AI is showing many signs of improving patient care. AI-powered diagnostic tools, for example, can assist doctors in detecting diseases like cancer or heart disease with remarkable accuracy. Research has even found that AI has the potential to improve outcomes by 30 to 40 per cent while cutting treatment costs by as much as 50 per cent. However, as medical devices become more interconnected, it exposes them to new cyber vulnerabilities.
Implementing strong cyber security will enable healthcare providers and medical device manufacturers to benefit from innovation while protecting patient safety and the integrity of the healthcare system.
Why does information security matter with medical devices?
Failure to protect information security can result in loss of sensitive data, patient privacy breaches, reputational damage and financial loss. However, with the convergence of technology and medical care, there is an even higher level of risk where human lives can be put in danger as compromised medical devices can result in misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment or life-threatening malfunctions.
The challenges of securing AI-driven medical devices
Many medical devices in hospitals are connected to the internet, making them potential targets for cyberattacks. Devices such as pacemakers, infusion pumps and even diagnostic tools can be exploited if proper security measures are not implemented.
Some of the challenges facing the use of AI in the medical industry include:
- Functional errors that may compromise device performance
- Data security and protecting patient privacy
- Transparency of systems’ decision making to clinicians
- Adherence to regulatory compliance standards
- Ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI
How can you protect medical technology and devices?
Implementing and maintaining internationally recognized information security and AI governance standards is the key to utilizing the benefits of new technologies, while protecting their integrity and patient safety.
Robust cyber security is a continuous process rather than a one-time fix, and requires ongoing vigilance and collaboration from manufacturers, hospital staff, and IT professionals. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) outlines global standards for effective information management. The following standards can support your organization to embrace new technologies while safeguarding systems and patients’ health:
- ISO/IEC 27001: specifies globally recognized requirements for establishing, implementing and maintaining a continually improving Information Security Management System (ISMS)
- ISO/IEC 42001: provides a certifiable AI management system (AIMS) framework ensuring responsible use and development of AI technologies
The future of secure AI in medical devices
Ensuring the security of medical devices is no longer just about protecting data, it’s also about safeguarding human lives. As healthcare systems continue to adopt AI-driven medical devices, securing these technologies will become increasingly critical.
With the right investment in cybersecurity, the healthcare industry can embrace technical innovation while establishing a robust framework to protect patient safety and enhance system integrity.
How can SGS help?
With years of worldwide experience in information security, cyber security and privacy protection, we can help you along the path to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 42001 certifications. Your audits can include a gap assessment and benchmarking. We will determine your level of information security competence and provide advice on how to achieve ongoing improvement.
Contact us today to safeguard your information security:
Dora Mindakis
National Technical Sales Specialist
t: +61483334647
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,700 laboratories and business facilities across 119 countries, supported by a team of 99,250 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, safety and compliance.
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