The evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its extension into the medical industry, through the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), has revolutionized the medical industry. IoMT involves the connectivity of medical devices & hospital equipment, sensor-based medical technology, and device communication. The digital transformation in the healthcare industry is driven by numerous factors, such as new advances in medical devices, remote medical services and even home services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, the goal is to increase patient care by delivering advanced and high-quality healthcare services in a more efficient and effective manner.
Due to this digital transformation in the medical industry, cyberattacks on medical devices are on the rise, and manufacturers of medical and healthcare devices must incorporate security from the earliest stages of development throughout the full device lifecycle. This must be done through minimizing the attack surface of the device during the design stages, as well as ensuring that devices are continuously free of vulnerabilities. In addition, medical device builders must ensure that manufactured medical devices have inherent defenses against threats, and that they can be securely updated as needed.
Recently, Microsoft and global technology services firm HCL Technologies partnered up to create high-performance, secured capabilities for medical devices, based on HCL’s CARE & Microsoft Defender for IoT.
Microsoft Defender for IoT offers end to end device lifecycle security including asset discovery, vulnerability management and threat detection for IoT & operational technology (OT) devices, and even includes a dedicated device manufacturing solution fit for creating secured IoT device from the design and manufacturing stage. Medical device manufacturers and solution operators can secure their IoMT devices using Microsoft Defender for IoT, which enables them to create secure-by-design, managed IoMT devices.
Microsoft Defender for IoT enables the following scenarios for device manufacturers:
- Security Posture Management, including Regulatory Compliance (FDA, HIPAA): Comply to medical and healthcare security standards by identifying and prioritizing misconfigurations based on industry benchmarks and software vulnerabilities that may arise. HIPAA Security Rule sets national standards for the secure maintenance, transmission, and handling of Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), applying to both covered entities and business associates. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued requirements for medical device manufacturers and users for securing all legally marketed medical devices.
- Secure Your Devices Beginning at the Design Stage: Create secured medical devices by-design, using our dedicated device manufacturing solution to scan firmware, receive hardening recommendations and security risk mitigation steps.
- Asset Inventory: Complete network topology visibility and full asset inventory, for full visibility into your medical devices.
- Threat Detection & Response: Apply real-time threat detection and response for your medical devices, even after they leave manufacturing, to protect confidential medical information and lives at risk from cyberattacks on medical devices.
- Integration with SOC Tools: Integration with Microsoft Sentinel as well as third-party SOC tools for unified IoT governance and full supply chain visibility.
Connect & Learn More
If you are an IoMT/IoT device builder or solution operator interested in learning more and engaging with the product team, or if you just want to stay in the loop and receive future updates: please reach out to defender_micro_agent@microsoft.com.
You can learn more about Microsoft Defender for IoT and its benefits for organizations and device builders with the following links:
- Microsoft Defender for IoT documentation for Device Builders
- Microsoft Defender for IoT Tech Community Blog
- Microsoft Defender for IoT documentation