Healthcare devices still lacking cyber security
Healthcare providers and manufacturers will spend nearly $390m (£317m) in 2016 on security for connected medical devices. While the figure is expected to triple by 2021, that is a fraction of the projected $5.5bn spending on healthcare cybersecurity, according to a report from ABI Research. For the Internet of Things to succeed in healthcare, cyber security issues must be "addressed immediately" the report said, with protection involving the collaboration between manufacturers, providers and health IT experts. ABI claimed that only the US is currently taking the threat seriously.
Dive Brief:

Healthcare providers and manufacturers will spend about $390 million to secure connected medical devices this year, which is only a fraction of the $5.5 billion projected to be spent on healthcare cybersecurity, ABI Research reports.

However, growing awareness of the threat of cyberattacks to the healthcare sectors could cause cybersecurity investment in medical devices to triple by 2021.

Much of that spending will involve embedding security in hardware, analyzing glitches, developing patches and performing wireless updates, the report says. The rest will focus on data protection.

Dive Insight:

Medical devices can be vulnerable to attack on many fronts. Because more new technologies are networked, investment in cybersecurity is crucial to realizing their full promise, Michela Menting, research director at ABI Research, said in a statement. The technology market intelligence company argued in order for the Internet of Things to succeed in healthcare, cybersecurity issues must be "addressed immediately."

Protecting devices will require the collaboration of manufacturers, providers, and health IT experts, the report says, adding that the U.S. is the only country currently taking a real stab at the problem.

Last week, HHS’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT released a final rule ramping up oversight of ONC’s Health IT Certification Program. The rule aims to boost transparency and accountancy around certified health IT, particularly in the use of electronic health records.

Yet some in the health IT field feel ONC overstepped its authority by issuing the rule by assuming the role of regulator. Health IT Now urged Congress to block implementation of the rule, saying the FDA, lawmakers, and other stakeholders are already working to balance the need for regulation and support for innovation.