Safeguarding the future of wireless medical devices

Christian Axelsson, CEO, Sigma Connectivity, shares the importance of safeguarding the future of wireless medical devices.

Today’s smart portable devices can collect, process, and analyse information at incredible speeds. With the miniaturisation of sensors, batteries, low power consumption and wireless connectivity, medical wearables are on the rise. With the advantage of wireless technologies, data transfer is better for patient mobility as it eliminates cables and allows for easier handling of the devices themselves.  

Preventive health is more efficient than curative methods as detecting diseases and ailments at initial stages is often cheaper and likely to improve people’s overall health. But early detection and proper diagnosis cannot be done without reliable biometrics, and to have consistent measurements, a good selection in sensors and proper data analysis is essential. With the global population getting older and living longer, continuous monitoring of vital signs and general biometrics will become not just a trend, but a necessity. 

The Sensor Hub 

The step forward in this new ecosystem is a wireless sensor system which connects multiple wearable medical devices to a central monitoring unit - to simplify, a Sensor Hub. The main function is to collect, distribute, and present data to the healthcare provider, which can pre-emptively act if something is off the regular rhythm of the patient. The Sensor Hub can be adapted to different scenarios according to the needs, from private homes to elderly care, health retreats or sport activities, healthcare centres and hospitals.  

A user can wear multiple devices, e.g., a ring on the finger, a wrist band, and a vest for the chest. Each one of these smart devices uses specialised sensors to measure vital signs such as blood oxygenation, respiration rate, and core body temperature. These smart devices, when in reach, will then send the data to the nearest Sensor Hub. The goal is to bring together sensors and smart devices, taking advantage of the proven technology in radio frequency communication, and incorporating the latest innovations cybersecurity has to offer. 

Security risks 

With the increasing reliance on wireless connectivity, the importance of robust security systems to protect sensitive patient data and ensure the integrity of medical devices has become a major concern. 

Wireless medical devices are vulnerable to security threats that can compromise patient safety and data confidentiality. Some of the risks associated with insecure wireless connectivity include unauthorised access to patient information, data breaches, interception of transmitted data, potential manipulation of device functionality, and exploiting vulnerabilities by Denial of Service (DoS) attacks which can pose a great risk to patient health.  

These risks can be minimised by using what is known as the CIA approach (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) to safeguard both patients and healthcare providers. There are certain aspects during development phases that should be addressed:  

  1. Robust Authentication - Strong authentication mechanisms, such as unique credentials, cryptographic keys, or biometric authentication, ensure that only authorised personnel, computer systems and authorised networks can access medical devices and patient data.  
  2. Encryption - Strong cryptographic algorithms and hash-algorithms are important to maintain confidentiality. Equipment’s should be designed to include Cryptographic co-processors to improve performance and add an extra layer of protection.  
  3. Secure Network Configuration - Networks should be set with strong passwords, unnecessary services shall be disabled, and devices could be segmented based on the user roles and access requirements. 
  4. Continuous Monitoring - Intrusion detection systems and security event management tools can identify and respond to potential threats promptly, ensuring the integrity of the wireless medical devices. 
  5. Device Management - Implementing centralised device management solutions enables healthcare providers to monitor device status, enforce security policies, and applies necessary patches or updates in a timely manner. A verification protocol should be implemented to check if the signature is valid, and that no tampering has been made to the firmware.  

By adopting a proactive approach towards wireless security, healthcare providers can harness the benefits of connected medical devices in this new digital age of medical care.