The FDA is Concerned about the Cybersecurity of Medical Devices

Medical devices give consumers a number of reasons to be concerned. Some are defective. Some are simply dangerous by design. Others still are improperly tested for broader use before being thrust into the market. But most of us, when we think about threats from medical devices, don’t think about cyber security.

The FDA has issued draft guidelines for the manufacturers of medical devices, hoping work can begin to protect patients from vulnerabilities in cybersecurity by improving software that will detect potential threats. In a statement, the FDA said, “Cybersecurity threats to medical devices are a growing concern. The exploitation of cybersecurity vulnerabilities presents a potential risk to the safety and effectiveness of medical devices.”

The FDA is working with cybersecurity firms and experts who have called the agency’s efforts “forward thinking.”

While the FDA works on strengthening protections against cyber threats, hundreds of thousands of people are suffering real harm from dangerous medical devices. If you are one of them, the medical product liability attorneys at Van Dorn & Curtiss are here to help. Please call us at (603) 556-4148 today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.