Despite the continuing growth of the global security industry – 6.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2019 and 2030, according to GobalData – the fast adoption of new technologies in healthcare institutions is raising concern around cyberattacks in the US. While numerous reports have been published to increase awareness of cybersecurity in the healthcare industry, no significant changes have been made to address these issues. The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent push for a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is commendable, but it is unclear how well it will be adapted by healthcare manufacturers.

Kamilla Kan, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “While there were earlier propositions by medical companies to improve cybersecurity, there were no proposals towards the coordinated disclosure of identified vulnerabilities and premarket requirements. Therefore, the SBOM will be a great addition to the existing cybersecurity requirements for medical manufacturers.”

With the pandemic disrupting in-person care, the use of telemedicine devices is becoming the norm. The healthcare industry is rapidly adopting new technologies, particularly around data collection and analysis. According to a poll by GlobalData, 66%* stated that they are more willing to use a remote monitoring device compared to before the pandemic, while 6% said they were less willing.

Kan adds: “The vast majority of patients trust the use of remote monitoring devices and other at-home healthcare. The rapid adoption of telemedicine brings natural risks to data privacy, and necessary measures need to be out in place to ensure the safety of medical devices. Additionally, the public has to be made aware of the risks that come with telemedicine devices. The recent cyberattack on San Diego-based Scripps Health has shown how disruptive and unexpected these cyberattacks can be.”

* 201 respondents