The digital transformation in healthcare is no longer theoretical—it’s happening every day. From remote monitoring tools and connected diagnostic machines to smart infusion pumps and wearable health devices, the Internet of Things (IoT) is helping hospitals improve outcomes, reduce readmissions, and deliver more efficient care.
But as more of these IoT-enabled medical devices come online, so does a largely underestimated risk: cybersecurity vulnerabilities that could expose patient data, disrupt clinical workflows, or even endanger lives.
The question we must confront is simple: Are we truly doing enough to secure healthcare IoT systems?
Understanding the Threat: Why Medical IoT Is a Prime Target
IoT devices are attractive targets for hackers because they are often:
- Light on built-in security
- Difficult to patch or update once deployed
- Connected to larger hospital networks
- Essential to clinical operations, meaning downtime isn’t an option
This creates the perfect storm for attackers. And we’ve already seen what happens when they strike.
Ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations are increasing, often exploiting unsecured or outdated IoT systems. In some documented cases, threat actors have breached entire hospital networks through a single vulnerable connected device, like a networked camera or an unsegmented imaging system.
Beyond financial damage, these incidents delay care, impact surgeries, and in extreme cases, risk patient lives.
Internet of things hacking has gone from a fringe concern to a clear and present danger. Real-world exploits have affected devices like:
- Insulin pumps that can be wirelessly manipulated
- Pacemakers with unsecured wireless protocols
- MRI and CT machines are vulnerable through misconfigured interfaces
Why IoT Security Testing Needs to Be Standard Practice
One of the most common misconceptions in healthcare IT is that security is the vendor’s responsibility. While manufacturers play a role, the reality is that IoT security is a shared responsibility between device makers, hospital IT teams, clinical engineers, and security professionals.
Yet, in many hospitals today, connected devices go live without ever undergoing proper cybersecurity scrutiny.
This is dangerous.
IoT security testing must become a routine part of every healthcare organisation’s risk management and compliance process. That includes:
- Vulnerability scanning to identify flaws in the firmware or operating system of a device
- Penetration testing to simulate real-world attacks on the device and its network behaviour
- Compliance audits to ensure alignment with industry standards, like:
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
- FDA premarket cybersecurity guidance for medical devices
- NIST IoT Cybersecurity Framework
Without these practices, devices remain soft targets, often forgotten in the patching cycle or left unmonitored on open network segments.
Building a Future-Proof IoT Security Strategy
Securing healthcare IoT systems isn’t about bolting on more firewalls. It requires a strategic approach—one that recognises IoT as both an operational asset and a cybersecurity risk.
Here’s what that strategy should include:
1. Medical Device IoT Security Hardening
Ensure every device is configured securely from day one:
- Change default passwords and disable unnecessary ports
- Use encrypted communication protocols for data transmission
- Enable automatic patching or update processes wherever possible
2. Zero Trust Architecture
The old model of trusting devices once they’re inside the network perimeter no longer works. In a Zero Trust model:
- Every device is treated as potentially compromised
- Access is strictly limited based on identity and behaviour
- Continuous monitoring flags anomalies in real time
3. Governance, Compliance, and Vendor Oversight
Establish clear policies for procurement, configuration, and maintenance of IoT devices. Require vendors to:
- Conduct security audits before deployment
- Provide documentation on patch timelines
- Comply with FDA cybersecurity labelling and readiness
Follow frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for IoT, which outlines best practices for risk mitigation.
4. IoT-Specific Incident Response Plans
When something goes wrong, general IT playbooks aren’t enough. Develop and rehearse response plans tailored for IoT scenarios, including:
- How to isolate a compromised medical device without disrupting care
- Steps to validate and re-secure the device
- Communication protocols with clinical teams and vendors
The Human Cost of Cyber Neglect
In healthcare, cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about protecting people. A single compromised ECG machine, infusion pump, or ventilator could lead to delayed treatments or life-threatening malfunctions.
That’s why cybersecurity in healthcare IoT is a patient safety issue, not just a technical one.
Yet many healthcare systems continue to operate without clear IoT security assessment processes or testing protocols in place. Too often, IT teams are understaffed, underfunded, or unaware of how many IoT devices are even connected to their network.
The cost of this complacency is growing—and so are the stakes.
So, Are We Doing Enough?
For most healthcare organisations, the honest answer is no. But this isn’t about blame—it’s about opportunity.
The tools, frameworks, and expertise needed to fix this gap already exist. What’s missing is the collective urgency to act.
If we treat IoT security as a core part of patient care, we can get ahead of the threats.
A Call to Action
If you’re in healthcare leadership, IT security, or clinical technology management, now’s the time to ask:
- Are we assessing the security of our connected medical devices?
- Do we have a process for IoT risk analysis and vendor accountability?
- What’s our response plan if an IoT device is compromised?
The cybersecurity risks in healthcare IoT are real, but so is the opportunity to lead the way in protecting patients and building digital trust.
