7 strategies for strengthening Healthcare IoT security

In the modern world, we cannot imagine everyday life without communication devices such as smartphones or computers, as they are indispensable for staying connected, accessing information, and conducting daily tasks. Likewise, as healthcare embraces the symphony of connected devices through the Internet of Things (IoT), the healthcare industry cannot function to the fullest without utilizing IoT/ Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices. With them, it is possible to envision a seamless network of interconnected devices — Healthcare IoT — a web of information facilitating swift diagnoses, predictive analytics, and personalized patient care. Yet, as this digital frontier expands, so do the concerns surrounding the security of this interconnected ecosystem.

Some interesting figures: According to the report by the Ponemon Institute, among the top threats to IoT and other connected devices were lack of visibility into IoT networks (45%), phishing (45%), zero-day attacks (41%), and ransomware attacks (39%). 43% of healthcare organizations in the US experienced an average of at least one ransomware attack. 56% of healthcare organizations faced at least one cyberattack in the last 24 months involving an IoT/IoMT device. 43% of respondents suffered at least one data breach in the prior 24 months. 71% of healthcare providers rated the risk as high or very high (7 or higher), but only 21% of healthcare providers reported having proactive security actions in-house.

This means a greater number of healthcare providers could have implemented security measures. Since IoT became one of the data-driven trends after COVID-19, its infrastructure shall be secure enough. This article navigates the currents of Healthcare IoT security, unraveling strategies to safeguard patient confidentiality and the integrity of medical data in this dynamic age of technological advancement.

What are IOMT vulnerabilities?

The integration of IoT certainly impacts healthcare data security. At the same time, IoT itself is exposed to security vulnerabilities and risks. Let’s consider them more deeply:

• Lack of security standards: Many IoT healthcare devices lack standardized security protocols and guidelines, leading to inconsistencies in security implementations across different devices and manufacturers. This lack of uniformity makes it challenging to assess and address security vulnerabilities effectively.
• Inadequate authentication mechanisms: Some IoMT devices may employ weak or default authentication mechanisms, such as hardcoded passwords or lack of multifactor authentication (MFA). This leaves devices vulnerable to unauthorized access and exploitation by malicious actors.
• Insufficient encryption in healthcare: Data transmitted between IoMT devices and backend systems may be inadequately encrypted, making it susceptible to interception and unauthorized access. Weak encryption algorithms or improper key management practices can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive patient information.
• Wireless communication vulnerabilities: IoMT devices often rely on wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee, for connectivity. These wireless technologies may be susceptible to eavesdropping, jamming, or man-in-the-middle attacks, particularly if not properly configured or secured.

What are healthcare IoT security challenges?

• Data privacy and confidentiality: Healthcare IoT devices collect and transmit sensitive patient data, ranging from medical histories to real-time health metrics. Ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of this information is paramount to maintaining patient trust and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Healthcare cybersecurity threats: The interconnected nature of Healthcare IoT systems renders them susceptible to cyberattacks, including malware infections, ransomware attacks, and data breaches. These threats can disrupt healthcare operations, compromise patient safety, and result in significant financial losses.
• Interoperability in healthcare: Integrating IoMT devices with existing healthcare IT systems and networks can introduce interoperability challenges, hindering seamless communication and data exchange. Incompatible protocols, misconfigured interfaces, and data format discrepancies may expose devices to exploitation and compromise.
• Regulatory compliance: Healthcare organizations must navigate a complex landscape of regulatory requirements and industry standards governing the security and privacy of patient data. Non-compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) can result in severe penalties and reputational damage.

How can these challenges be addressed with security solutions for IoT?

Securing IoT devices requires best practices. By implementing comprehensive security solutions tailored to the unique needs of IoT environments, healthcare organizations can mitigate risks and ensure the integrity of their IoT deployments. From smooth data integration and data governance to designing a data platform and starting a telemedicine practice involving IoT devices, these solutions encompass a range of technical, policy, and organizational measures aimed at enhancing visibility, strengthening authentication, encrypting data, and proactively monitoring for security incidents. Let’s explore these solutions in detail to understand how they can effectively mitigate the risks associated with healthcare IoT security challenges.

1. Data encryption and privacy:

• Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit to protect it from unauthorized access and interception.
• Implement HIPAA encryption standard strong algorithms and key management practices to safeguard patient information and maintain data confidentiality.
• Utilize secure communication protocols, such as Transport Layer Security (TLS), to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted between IoT devices and backend systems.

2. Strong authentication and access control:

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and require users to authenticate their identity using multiple factors, such as passwords, biometrics, or one-time codes, to access IoT devices or sensitive systems. MFA adds an extra layer of security and helps prevent unauthorized access in case of compromised credentials.
• Enforce the least privilege access controls to limit user permissions and restrict unauthorized access to sensitive data and functionalities.
• Utilize role-based access controls (RBAC) to define and enforce granular access policies based on users’ roles and responsibilities.
• Employ network access controls: implement access control mechanisms, such as virtual LANs (VLANs) and firewall rules, to restrict unauthorized access to IoT networks and devices.

3. Risk assessment and vulnerability management:

• Conduct regular risk assessments, compliance and security audits to identify potential security vulnerabilities and threats within Healthcare IoT environments.
• Implement vulnerability management programs to prioritize and remediate identified vulnerabilities promptly.
• Employ automated scanning tools and penetration testing to assess the security posture of IoT devices and networks.

4. Continuous monitoring and threat detection:

• Deploy intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to monitor network traffic and detect anomalous behavior indicative of security breaches or cyberattacks.
• Implement security information and event management (SIEM) solutions to aggregate and analyze log data from IoT devices, network infrastructure, and applications for real-time threat detection and incident response.
• Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor the behavior of IoT devices and identify malicious activities or compromise indicators.
• Implement anomaly detection algorithms and machine learning techniques to identify deviations from normal patterns of behavior and detect potential security incidents.
• Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) and anomaly detection solutions to monitor IoT device behavior and detect abnormal or suspicious activities indicative of zero-day attacks. These systems can analyze network traffic, system logs, and device telemetry data to identify potential security breaches.
• Deploy email filtering and anti-phishing tools to detect and block malicious emails before they reach users’ inboxes. These solutions can identify phishing attempts based on known patterns, malicious URLs, or sender reputation.

5. Incident response and disaster recovery:

• Develop and maintain incident response plans and procedures to guide healthcare organizations’ response to security incidents involving IoT devices, such as data breaches, malware infections, or device compromises.
• Establish protocols for containing security incidents, mitigating their impact, and restoring normal operations in a timely manner, minimizing downtime and disruption to patient care.
• Implement network segmentation by dividing IoT devices into separate network segments based on their function or security requirements. Implement network segmentation to contain ransomware infections and prevent lateral movement. This limits the scope of potential attacks and reduces the impact of security breaches.
• Implement robust backup and disaster recovery strategies to ensure the availability and integrity of critical healthcare data in the event of a security breach or system failure involving IoT devices. Maintain offline backups to prevent ransomware attackers from encrypting or tampering with backup files.
• Utilize endpoint protection platforms (EPP) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block ransomware attacks targeting IoT devices. These solutions can monitor device behavior, detect suspicious activities, and automatically quarantine infected devices.

6. Secure software development practices:

• Adopt secure coding practices when developing custom software for IoT devices and perform rigorous security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in IoT device firmware and software applications.
• Implement a secure development lifecycle and follow industry best practices, such as the OWASP IoT Top 10, to mitigate common security risks and design resilient IoT solutions.
• Establish secure update mechanisms to ensure timely deployment of patches and security updates to IoT devices, addressing known vulnerabilities and reducing the risk of exploitation.

7. User awareness and training:

• Educate users about healthcare IoT security best practices: provide comprehensive security awareness training to IoT device users, emphasizing the importance of adhering to security policies, recognizing phishing attempts, and reporting suspicious activities. Offer training modules, workshops, and simulated phishing exercises to reinforce security awareness.
• Provide comprehensive cybersecurity training and awareness programs for healthcare staff, emphasizing the importance of security practices and policies when using IoT devices and accessing healthcare IT systems.
• Promote secure password practices by encouraging users to create strong, unique passwords for IoT devices and systems and avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts. Implement password management solutions and by enforcing password complexity requirements to enhance security.

Conclusion: healthcare IT solutions are a smart move for securing IoT healthcare devices

That’s it. Now you can secure IoT devices to a higher level by implementing IoT device security concepts, such as strong authentication, data encryption, and device hardening. This can mitigate vulnerabilities and enhance the resilience of the IoT infrastructure against cyber threats. In case you have any further questions to that end, do not hesitate to contact GreenM, where I have the honor to work as a content creator and expertise of which includes, inter alia, healthcare. We are here to help you out. See you soon!