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The Internet of Things has emerged as quite a helpful form of assistance when it comes to healthcare. The web lets smart appliances monitor patient’s vital signs, helps people take medication, and so on. Unfortunately, relying on IoT poses a certain level of risk. There are security challenges for patients as well as healthcare providers. If you have any concern regarding how IoT can affect your business, do not hesitate to rely on our IT services group in San Antonio for assistance.
The Security Challenges of IoT
Cyber thieves are on the prowl for devices that store patients data. Healthcare apps are prime targets as they are chock full of private information including information about prescriptions, patient medical history, social security numbers and beyond. If a wrongdoer obtains this information, he can generate fake Ids to purchase medical equipment or medications, flip those items and make money. It is even possible for a hacker to directly control equipment connected to the web. The end result of this control could be a patient fatality.
Consider the warning issued by Johnson & Johnson in 2011 about unsecured insulin pumps. Hackers found a way to inject insulin into patients. Furthermore, the FDA has determined more than half a million pacemakers were in jeopardy of being attacked in a digital manner and even completely shut down by hackers.
The vulnerability of medical devices even extends to their functionality as entryways to secured networks. Hackers utilize compromised devices connected to the web to put ransomware and additional types of malware on a network. This leads to service delays, stops practitioners from treating patients and wreaks all sorts of havoc. Thankfully, there are a few effective measures that can be taken to guard against such attacks.
Data Encryption
Encryption is one of the best ways to protect patients and your business from a data breach. Electronic health records should be encoded when being sent or even when stored. This way, hackers won’t be able to access and pilfer private data. Ideally, all information that passes across your network will be encrypted in an automatic manner so every last bit of communication between IoT electronics is fully secure. If you have any questions about data encryption, lean on our IT services team in San Antonio for assistance.
Multi-factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication ensures users provide additional information beyond their username and password. Examples of such additional information include one’s fingerprint, a retinal scan or SMS code. Enable multi-factor authentication on your devices and networks so hackers find it that much more challenging to tap into your company’s important information.
Update Digital Security on a Regular Basis
Every organization that relies on IoT should understand manufacturer security patches are limited to their own products. You must be proactive to keep your devices fully secure. Manufacturer updates should be downloaded right away so your devices are not subjected to the wrath of the latest threats.
Our IT services team in San Antonio at ICS is here to help you tackle all of those seemingly impossible tech challenges. We know the ins and outs of everything from managed IT services to cloud hosting, VoIP solutions, data cabling, video conferencing and beyond. Contact us for more information.
Further reading
ICS is a Texas-based 40-year-old technology company specializing in Managed IT, VoIP, Video Conferencing and Video Surveillance solutions for US and International businesses. ICS has over 4000 regional installations and specializes in multi-site businesses between 25 and 2500 employees. ICS’s customers enjoy the experience of ICS’s Total Care program which provides clients flat fee services with obsolescence and growth protection. Whether a customer elects to deploy their IT, Video Conferencing or VoIP in the cloud or on the customer’s premise, ICS can provide a full turn-key solution for our clients under one flat monthly fee.