Although it has not happened yet, a person could be indirectly attacked by a computer virus:pacemakers, defibrillators, and insulin pumpsimplanted in many patients are also vulnerable to hacking.
Last year a diabetic hacker proved capable of controlling someone else’s insulin pump at close range with a system programmed by him. Before long, anotherhackerhe did a similar demonstration with a mannequin carrying an insulin pump, which he managed to empty from his computer, located at a great distance from the victim.
On the other hand, these devices are, like others, vulnerable to programming errors and software bugs: “The premise is that all software has bugs, and all are human flaws, even if it doesn’t seem like it. Misinterpretation of data Because of the software, it is a human error when programming, most of the time unintentionally, sometimes it is due to confusion and others, due to sheer negligence, “Álvaro González, from Kanteron Systems, a software company for medical devices, explained to SINC.
However, companies are improving the security systems of this type of device, incorporatinganti-attack and fail-safe elements in programming. In addition, experts also suggest that external audits of source codes be carried out, and also the incorporation of devices offirewallthat patients can wear around the neck.
Legislation will also have to adapt to new technological advances. According to SINC, the regulations that regulate medical devices date from 1990, 1993 and 1998, so it is necessary to update it. The European Commission expects to adopt new measures in 2014, which will take effect between 2015 and 2019.
