Today's healthcare systems are increasingly connected and digitized: electronic medical records, intelligent medical devices and automated hospital infrastructure are the order of the day. This technological revolution improves patient care, but it also exposes new IT risks. Attacks against hospitals and medical devices can have very serious consequences, from the violation of sensitive data to endangering patients' lives. In this context, carry out regular activities of Security Assessment, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Test is essential for identifying and correcting flaws before they can be exploited by criminals.
Connected medical devices: risks and consequences
Digital innovation in healthcare has introduced advanced medical devices and futuristic clinical software, revolutionizing the way care is delivered. At the same time, this has transformed every connected piece of equipment into an access point that can be exploited by malicious actors. The same IoT technology, which has brought benefits to patients, can become an ally of cybercriminals and, with increasing digitalization and interconnection, open new 'ports' that hackers can try to exploit. For example, many legacy medical devices do not receive frequent security updates and are connected to the hospital's internal network: if compromised, they can act as an entry point to move laterally to systems containing sensitive data. In addition to data theft, the risk of tampering with the integrity of medical information, leading doctors to misdiagnoses. It is easy to see the consequences of such manipulations if they were carried out by hostile actors: misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatments and serious risks to patients' health.
Faced with these threats, it becomes clear that cybersecurity must be an integral part of healthcare facilities and manufacturers of health systems, as well as hygiene and quality of care.
Protecting hospital networks, devices and patient management platforms means ensure business continuity, confidentiality of data doctors and, ultimately, patient safety themselves.
Preventing attacks: security assessment and penetration testing
To prevent cyber attacks, in addition to the adoption of effective security technologies, it is essential to develop a proactive approach. Tools such as the Security Assessment, the Vulnerability Assessment And the Penetration Test — in-depth analysis and attack simulations conducted by Ethical Hacker — they make it possible to identify the vulnerabilities present and to concretely strengthen the resilience of the digital infrastructure.
In summary, having an activity plan of this type allows you to get a complete overview of the cybersecurity of your infrastructures, your medical software and your networks: from theory (policies and configurations) to practice (concrete attempts at violation). Taking a proactive approach allows you to discover hidden weaknesses and correct them before they can be exploited.
Are there dedicated standards and regulations?
The sensitivity of health data and the potential impact on patient health have led to the issuance of specific regulations and standards for safety in this sector. THEHIPAA, undoubtedly the most recognized framework in the sector, is the historic US federal legislation on healthcare. Introduced in 1996, HIPAA defines a set of rules and requirements to ensure privacy and security of patient data in the United States. In particular, the HIPAA Security Rule establishes standards on measures to be taken to protect electronic health information (so-called PHI - Protected Health Information) — such as access controls, encryption, audit logs and backup plans. HIPAA compliance is mandatory for hospitals, clinics, health insurance companies and all those who process medical data in the US or on behalf of entities based in the USA, and the penalties for those who do not comply can be very heavy. The purpose of HIPAA is to ensure that confidentiality, integrity and availability of health data be always protected.
Likewise, at national and European levels, there are countless references to the security of health information - and related systems - in mandatory regulations and Soft Law. Just think of what is defined by the GDPR, which requires that health data must enjoy reinforced protection, or by the new NIS2, or by sectoral ISO standards, such as ISO 27799:2016, or by more vertical national regulations, such as the Code regarding the protection of personal data (Legislative Decree 196/2003).
It is beyond doubt, therefore, that there is a regulatory mosaic at national and international levels that imposes significant obligations for security and privacy in the health sector.
Safety as a priority
Safety in the healthcare sector is not a luxury or a simple regulatory obligation, but an essential factor for ensuring safe and efficient services. A cyberattack can to plummet patients' confidence in an instant, block lifesaving services and cause incalculable economic and image damage to a healthcare facility or service manufacturer. On the contrary, investing in cyber prevention and defenses today means avoiding incidents tomorrow, protecting people's privacy and health, as well as ensuring the continuity of therapies.
Securing such a complex ecosystem is undoubtedly a challenging aspect for organizations in the sector. This is why it is It is essential to rely on cybersecurity specialists with specific experience in the healthcare sector. A competent partner in this field knows the peculiarities of biomedical devices, sector regulations and hospital technologies, and is able to support the organization in implementing the best solutions. From the management of Penetration Test aimed at medical machinery, the secure configuration of clinical networks and software, up to the training of healthcare personnel on good practices (cyber-hygiene).
