As the number of networked medical devices grows, so too will online threats and vulnerabilities. In this era of interconnectivity, healthcare systems must prioritize medical device security and patient safety.

The heightened risk is drawing the attention of federal regulators, who warn that “it is more important than ever that hospitals have a plan for securing their networked devices—which can number in the tens of thousands in a large organization—before those devices are compromised in a cyberattack.”

The stakes are high. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has underscored the threats to patient safety when compromised medical devices disrupt critical care. Meanwhile, ransomware attacks on hospitals are soaring, costs are escalating, and cybersecurity insurance premiums are rising.

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