Today, traditional medical devices are increasingly networked, exchanging data with each other and with other devices. This applies to ventilators or patient monitors in hospital, as well as equipment like insulin pumps or blood glucose meters of children with type I diabetes.

Networking an insulin pump like this often makes life easier for the user. A sensor placed in the subcutaneous fatty tissue which, depending on the manufacturer, can be changed independently every 6 to 14 days, continuously measures the blood glucose level of the patient. This allows for much more seamless monitoring, enabling a quick response to changes in blood glucose levels.

Like all innovations, however, networked medical devices also bring new risks: they must be protected from cyber attacks just like any other networked device or computer connected to the Internet. Networked medical devices usually have more than one interface to connect to other products or a documentation system (e.g. an app). Every interface is a potential gateway for cyber attacks; with these products, the consequences could be extremely devastating.

In addition to leaks of extremely sensitive patient data, the functioning of a product that performs life-sustaining functions (e.g. a ventilator or pacemaker) could also be affected or even stopped in the worst case. Such attacks can have severe health consequences for those affected and even lead to death in the most extreme cases.

For these reasons, the cyber security of networked medical devices is extremely important and requires ongoing attention and further development. Particularly in the case of medical devices, the benefits must always be considered against the costs. The best possible protection against all cyber attacks must not jeopardise the rapid intervention of users or medical staff in an emergency.