Security News > 2022 > March > How to keep your medical device IP safe from cyber attacks
Guarding intellectual property has always been a priority for medical device manufacturers as competitors and even nation states are constantly trying to compromise or steal IP. For example, in January 2019, a Chinese national who stole secrets while working for medical device companies including Medtronic and Edwards, was sentenced to over two years in federal prison.
Medical device companies face a very competitive environment, increasing the incentive for IP theft.
While it is true that the IP can leak from internal sources and insider threats, IP is being hacked more and more through cyber-attacks on the device itself.
A recent case was reported where a Massachusetts medical device engineering company experienced hacking of source code for its medical devices and algorithms, essential to operate the devices.
Protecting the IP on a device requires a holistic approach to device security.
One of the most effective ways to secure the IP on a device is to eliminate the easiest method for hacking the device, known vulnerabilities.