From Wearables to Hospitals: Safeguarding IoT in the Medical Ecosystem

Abstract

Kennet Patrik and Soren Falkner

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, ranging from personal wearables to sophisticated hospital infrastructure, has revolutionized the medical ecosystem, offering unprecedented opportunities for patient monitoring and care. However, this interconnectedness introduces significant security vulnerabilities, posing risks to patient data privacy and system integrity. This paper explores the critical challenges associated with safeguarding IoT within the medical ecosystem, focusing on the unique security requirements of diverse devices and environments, from remote patient monitoring via wearables to complex hospitals. We analyze potential threat vectors, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and malware attacks, and discuss mitigation strategies involving robust authentication, encryption, and intrusion detection systems. Furthermore, we examine the importance of regulatory compliance and ethical considerations in ensuring the responsible deployment of IoT in healthcare. Ultimately, this work emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, multi-layered security approach to protect sensitive medical data and ensure the reliable operation of IoT devices, thus fostering trust and maximizing the benefits of this transformative technology.

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