The Department of Homeland Security's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center has issued a report on how the portability and remote connectivity of medical devices introduces risks into healthcare IT networks, according to a Government Computer News report.
The report, "Attack Surface: Healthcare and Public Health Sector (pdf), notes the importance of an organization implementing a robust security program focusing on these devices to identify and address potential vulnerabilities, which include spyware, theft of patient information and loss of records.
"Since wireless medical devices are now connected to medical information technology networks, IT networks are now remotely accessible through the medical device," according to the report. "This may be a desirable development, but the communications security of medical devices to protect against theft of medical information and malicious intrusion is now becoming a major concern."
In addition to providing an overview of the types of computing devices used in healthcare and discussing their potential vulnerabilities, the report provides best practices for the protection of networked medical devices.
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