Over a million medical IoT devices threaten patient data!

Over a million medical IoT devices threaten patient data!

Imagine your medical device that is supposed to save your life is the goal of hackers. The reality in health care is alarming: over a million networked medical devices run the risk of being manipulated by cyber attacks. According to the cyber security company Modat, these devices and systems that are crucial for patient care are confronted with a high risk of theft of sensitive patient data. The exposed data includes not only medical scans, but also personal files and information on real -time monitoring that come from devices such as MRTS and infusion pumps. The underlying problems are often due to lax security practices, such as the use of standard passwords and non -updated software, which significantly increases vulnerability in these critical areas. Webpronews reports that The USA have the highest number of networked devices, followed by countries such as South Africa and Australia.

The security situation is tightened by the widespread use of outdated protocols, such as Dicom for medical imaging, which are often not equipped with modern encryption standards. Researchers were able to grab unencrypted X -ray images and patient data by using open ports. This not only raises questions about data protection, but also arouses concerns about identity theft and medical fraud. According to an analysis of Modat, over 1.2 million devices are now at risk. The dangers range from data theft to threatening manipulations of device settings that can have vital consequences.

The digital jungle - cyber attacks and their consequences

cybercrime is steadily increasing in healthcare. A study shows that almost 93 cyber attacks were registered in the industry between 2013 and 2016, with data injuries cost an average of around $ 4.35 million. A special analysis about the first half of 2025 shows that over 31 million Americans were affected by data protection injuries, and the amount of exposed data has also increased. The most popular targets in recent years have been medical data records, which often contained financial information. In a competitive environment, health service providers must therefore increase their cybersecurity in order to secure themselves against the increasingly refined methods of cybercriminals. According to the Statista, more than a third of all data leaks registered in the USA in 2019.

The most common weaknesses in digital health technology are shown by poor password management and outdated software. A study identified a total of 201 vulnerabilities in medical software and devices from 2001 to 2022. The top ten of the most susceptible health software are also worrying. Examples are:

future prospects and safety tips

With the progressive digitization of health care, where around 50 billion IoT devices could be installed by 2030 alone, security requirements are also growing. Experts recommend a number of measures to reduce these dangers. This includes the use of zero-trust architectures, multi-layered defenses, AI-supported anomaly recognition and regular safety tests of the devices. Well -run security management and continuous monitoring are essential to ward off cyber attacks and maintain the trust of patients in the health system. Another point is the cultural view of many facilities: IoT devices are often considered to be tools for increasing efficiency and not as possible security risks, so that a rethink is necessary here.

According to the National Institutes of Health, clear strategies for ensuring communication, compliance with regulations, as well as the implementation of continuous security monitoring measures must be taken. Whether for patients or service providers - the risks are real and require immediate measures, because once hacked, the safety of patient life can be at stake.