Amid evolving cyber threats, cybersecurity researchers are warning medical devices manufacturers and healthcare providers to become more assiduous in protecting medical imaging devices from cyber threats. As medical imaging devices become more connected to hospital networks, they also become vulnerable to sophisticated cyber attacks. Attackers can easily penetrate to the computers that control medical devices and block or disable access to them, something that has already happened worldwide. Medical devices present an easy target for hackers. Any cyber attacks on medical imaging devices reveal the following four outcomes.
• Disruption of scan configuration files can install malware that controls the entire CT operation and puts a patient at high risk.
• Medical imaging devices have several mechanical components which receive instructions from a control unit. A malware attack on these components can damage the equipment and injure the patient.
• Image results disruption can happen because medical imaging devices send scanned results via a host computer. An attack may alter results or mix up connected images.
• The malware encrypts a victim's files and demands a ransom to decrypt them.
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Understanding Cyberthreats
For building an active cybersecurity strategy healthcare providers must understand the threats facing them. They must also consider potential sources of attacks. Attacks are carried out by the external parties, but internal actors can even pose more significant threats as they have trusted access to the system. External attacks are motivated typically by financial gain or targeting an individual or an organization.
