In-brief: The FDA as approved a software update to software security holes in pacemakers made by Abbott. But doctors and patients will have to weigh the risks of apply the patch.
Medicine
Update: Cash for Medical Device Clunkers? Task Force calls for Healthcare Security Overhaul
In-brief: the U.S. healthcare sector is in critical condition and needs urgent, coordinated action to protect patient safety and address vulnerabilities in millions of deployed medical devices, a Congressional Task Force has concluded. (Updated with comments from Joshua Corman of Atlantic Council. PFR June 7, 2017)
Code Blue: 8k Vulnerabilities in Software to manage Cardiac Devices
Software used to remotely program implantable cardiac devices by a number of vendors is rife with exploitable software vulnerabilities that leave the devices vulnerable to attacks and compromise, according to a report by the firm Whitescope Inc.
Update: UK Hospitals among Victims of Massive Ransomware Attack
In-brief: Hospitals across England were forced to divert patients from emergency departments after suffering what has been described as a cyber attack involving ransomware, according to published reports and a statement from the UK’s National Health Service. (Editor’s Note: Updated to include information on the Wana ransomware. PFR May 12, 2017)
FBI Warns Medical Offices: Exposed FTP Servers are a Target
In-brief: The FBI is telling medical and dental offices to lock down anyFile Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers in their environments, warning that cyber criminals are searching for exposed FTP servers as a pathway to sensitive networks and protected health information (PHI).
