Medical imaging cybersecurity needs to evolve to meet today’s security threats. Cyberthreats specifically targeting health care institutions have increased over recent years. More data is also at risk since patients have begun widely using telemedicine services. In addition to the risk of information theft, there is a very serious risk to patients, including the potential for physical harm due to compromised medical imaging equipment.

Cybersecurity for medical imaging equipment needs to be improved.

The Rising Threats to Medical Imaging Cybersecurity

The 2020s have seen a sharp rise in cyberthreats, with health care organizations among the most highly targeted organizations. The COVID-19 pandemic is suspected to be one of the greatest influences of this increase in attacks on vulnerable institutions. In 2020, attacks on health care organizations rose 55% compared to 2019.

On the one hand, hackers see the critical position of health care organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity. They know attacks like ransomware can get them a lot of money because medical facilities can’t afford to lose data or get locked out of their networks when patients’ lives are on the line. Ransomware attacks also negatively impact patients – experts estimate that at least 1,763 health care centers were hit in 2020 and 2021.

Telemedicine also plays a key role in the rising threats facing medical imaging cybersecurity. Health care is becoming increasingly digital and connected, with more data being shared and transmitted virtually. This highlights the need for better security.

Medical cybersecurity will only become more popular as next-gen technologies like remote robotic surgeries become more popular. The need for stronger medical imaging cybersecurity is particularly serious, considering that these devices are powerful and valuable, but also handle incredibly detailed information about patients.

Cybersecurity for Medical Imaging: A Device Problem?

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