The Hidden Cybersecurity Risks of Internet of Bodies (IoB) Healthcare Devices

by Nahla Davies | LevelBlue

The Internet of Bodies, or IoB, represents a groundbreaking shift in the healthcare industry, connecting vital health management devices like pacemakers, insulin pumps, and health monitors to the Internet.

While these advancements come with many remarkable benefits, they also expose these essential devices to new cybersecurity vulnerabilities. To help prepare for this remarkable shift, this article addresses the potential risks of IoB devices, highlighting the important intersection and interplay of healthcare and cybersecurity.

An Introduction to the Internet of Bodies

The Internet of Bodies, also known as the IoB, represents a significant leap in healthcare technology as we know it. It integrates connected devices that monitor and interact with the human body.

Its relevance, however, is accentuated by its potential to revolutionize patient care, particularly through remote monitoring and timely medical interventions.

Examples of IoB devices include pacemakers that transmit heart activity data to healthcare providers, insulin pumps that adjust dosage based on real-time glucose levels, and smart health monitors that track vital signs and alert users and doctors to irregularities.

These innovations are important in managing chronic conditions, providing real-time data that enhances patient outcomes and reduces hospital readmissions.

The topic of IoB is particularly timely as advancements in technology and data analytics continue to evolve, promising to improve healthcare delivery and patient experiences significantly. However, it also highlights important issues related to data privacy and security, requiring careful consideration of regulatory and ethical standards to protect patient information.

The Benefits of Utilizing IoB Devices in Healthcare

Utilizing IoB devices in healthcare brings numerous benefits, foremost among them being improved patient monitoring and personalized treatment. These devices help facilitate continuous and personalized patient care.

Improved patient monitoring and personalized treatment are among the primary advantages of IoB devices. These technologies enable real-time tracking of vitals and health metrics so that healthcare providers can customize treatments based on up-to-date information.

For instance, smartwatches used by Kaiser Permanente allow heart attack patients to share their health data continuously, leading to better monitoring and higher completion rates of rehabilitation programs​​.

IoB devices also increase efficiency and accuracy in medical interventions. An example of this are digital pills equipped with sensors that provide precise medication management by transmitting data about ingestion to healthcare providers. These devices help reduce medication errors and improve adherence to prescribed treatment plans​​.

The enhanced data collection and analysis that comes as a result of IoB devices contribute to better health outcomes. The vast amounts of data generated help better understand health patterns and predict potential issues.

As an example, smart thermometers used in Shanghai’s Public Health Clinical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for efficient monitoring and quick intervention by analyzing temperature data trends.​​​​.

Potential Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities of The IoB

While offering numerous benefits, IoB devices also present the potential to have significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities. After all, these devices are susceptible to various cybersecurity threats that could have dire consequences for patient safety and privacy.

One major threat facing healthcare organizations of all sizes and their IoB devices is the hacking of medical devices. For example, devices can be accessed remotely by malicious actors who might alter their settings, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.

The potential exploitation of these vulnerabilities can occur in multiple ways. For instance, hackers could intercept and manipulate data transmitted by these devices, compromising the integrity of medical treatments and patient records.

As always, connectivity itself is the main culprit. To make things even worse, the main attack vector isn’t a WiFi-equipped X-ray machine or a pacemaker, but the infrastructure of the healthcare provider or manufacturer. If they have a digital asset management system or an internal communication app in place, hackers would target that instead as a means of directly accessing IoB device networks. Read Full Article >