DocAndersen
There is an interesting new technology area, and I thought I would wander that area a bit today. Medical Technology is interesting. There are now digital EKG devices (Kardio is one) and digital stethoscopes (EKO) in the market. I have talked a couple of times about the Kinda Thermometer also a digital device. Doctors can get, gather and improve the overall treatment of patients. Simply by collecting more information, the doctor can provide better care. There is also a medical software package called EpOcartes that gives information about drug interactions. More and more information available for helping us deal with medical issues before, during and after they impact us!
One of the reasons for this post today is the interesting difference in medical tech and the security issue that presents. For example, many people now have pacemakers that regulate the beat of their hearts to regulate their heartbeat. It is possible, although very difficult for a hacker to gain control of the device and stop your heart or modify how the pacemaker is modifying your heart. That reality is a little scary overall. That someone can find out information about you, that normally only your doctor would know. The issue is also compounded by the reality of a pacemaker, and You don’t have a login in for the device. So you can’t increase the security of the device by creating a more complex password.
But connected devices are good in the sense that your doctor will get more information about you. The other issue with that is that the hacker can gain information about you. Only a few hackers attempt to control medical devices. For the most part a hacker would be more interested in gaining information about someone. Presidential candidates, politicians, CEOs and business leaders all have information in medical devices that could be captured and sold. A CEO with a heart condition of a company about to go public because of that CEO might change the opening IPO or initial public offering price significantly. Information is one thing that hackers love to have. Something I know about you can be lucrative.
-
Question of
Connected thermometers are valuable they can tell if what illnesses are in your are. Right?
-
Yes
-
No
-
-
Question of
did you know that newer pacemakers are connected to the internet?
-
Yes
-
No
-
-
Question of
eKG and other heart information would be bad if it got out right?
-
Yes
-
No
-
-
Question of
Other than your partner, does any one else know about your health issues?
-
Yes
-
No
-
-
Question of
Would you wear a connected medical device?
-
Yes
-
No
-
I am not sure about connected health devices but if a hacker gets in it certainly can be dangerous
could be, but for the most part they wouldn’t attack most people because there is no value in attacking them.
I would wear one if I had a heart condition. I will not wear one for monitoring sugar levels. The idea of having that round thing on my arm all the time and the needle under your skin just creeps me out. I would much rather stick myself. I would also say no to the implant. Surgery or stick yourself? I chose sticking myself again.
The advances in medical technology are truly awesome. Amazing, what we can do now. Wonder what’s next. This is exciting.
the newest blood sugar monitor goes under your shirt, and does not draw blood!
So it is out. Yay! Finally. I had heard about it, just didnt think it was possible.
apple almost included that with the current apple watch. Not yet for the watch but someday
Despite the risks I would still wear an internet connected device as I think the benefits outweigh the bad side. My father had a pacemaker. He would have had no quality of life without it.
that is very true, it is about the quality of life!
Q: Connected thermometers are valuable they can tell if what illnesses are in your are. Right?
Yes (9 votes) – 90%
No (1 votes) – 10%
Q: did you know that newer pacemakers are connected to the internet?
Yes (4 votes) – 40%
No (6 votes) – 60%
Q: eKG and other heart information would be bad if it got out right?
Yes (6 votes) – 75%
No (2 votes) – 25%
Q: Other than your partner, does any one else know about your health issues?
Yes (4 votes) – 50%
No (4 votes) – 50%
Q: Would you wear a connected medical device?
Yes (5 votes) – 63%
No (3 votes) – 38%
i wonder if the last question would change. if instead of a connected medical device it was a connected life-saving device?
I get the wifi pacemaker, but the password debacle is a dealbreaker. I have the password and if you want info, I will give it to you is the only responsible model
there’s an update? I will flash the pacemaker myself…
most are not as technical as you, plus it would more likely be a Bluetooth 5 connection to the cell phone (secure key) in the future.
Currently, it is a Bluetooth BLE connection (3).
I suspect your concept though would make a great Ledante art project!
the secure key idea would work…
now you are making me geek out. two physical keys, one you have one the doctor has (emergency) with a keyhole in your chest!
security is fun to design and subvert
it is, i prefer the audit side of security personally. I don’t have the mind of an attacker, so I don’t always fully see what is the attack vector of an application.
Thank you for the information many new innovations always include the good and the bad, Most important is that ithey can help to save lives,
you are so right, it is more about saving lives. Nasty people will do, what nasty people will do.
I was a little shocked when reading your post. I may have to have some kind of medical device.
no intent to alarm, many of the devices are connected now.
Every innovation brings its own new challenges.
it really does, sometimes it is important to remember that.
I agree with Carol Dm. ……..
that is probably a safe idea. Wear something if it is required!
What we see is the growth in technology and decrease of privacy.
it feels that way often, although in theory there is much tech in the area of privacy.
Great news post, dear friend … just like everywhere else in healthcare, technology is making great progress … when it comes to life, I would give anything or myself that doctors would advise me on
Connection is so much of what will come! What I hope is that they start improving the security of the systems before pushing them out to everyone!
I totally don’t understand these systems … who and why my health would be interested and why I would be harmed … what would he have to do with it
i doubt most of us would have any concerns. It would be more the leader of a nation or a very wealthy person.
Many things are not clear to me here and it will be difficult for me too … I would understand if I was important and rich so I am an ordinary person irrelevant to the mafia stealing data
i think you have a good point there.
But the value in the hands of a doctor could be that your life is saved!
Technology continues to amaze with what can be done to save lives. I would definitely wear whatever I needed to if it would improve a medical condition.
i agree with you, i just get worried when i see the security holes!