Securing Surgical Robots and Assistive Technologies

Picture this, A robot performs a kidney surgery to remove a stone, but instead, it removes the entire kidney. The patient is dead. This frightening incident can be real if surgical robots are left vulnerable to cyber threats. Even the most advanced medical robots could jeopardize patient safety without proper cybersecurity.?

Robots are taking the place of humans in every industry. But in the medical industry, you can’t compromise with safety, as it can be a matter of death and life. In this article, you will learn how not to let anyone control surgical robots and assistive technologies for patient safety and uphold the integrity of medical practices.?

What is Healthcare Robotics??

From the years of medical history, doctors and surgeons used to cure the patient. Now, robots are replacing humans to assist or perform surgery in the modern world. Healthcare robotics is using robotic systems in the medical and healthcare industries for convenient and accurate results. Now, using robots can be beneficial, but there are always negative consequences of every technology.?

If we imagine fully autonomous surgery, a small cyber attack can interrupt the surgery and it can cause damage to patient health, or even death of the patient is a possibility. Let’s explore how dangerous cyber threats are in medical robotics.??

Cybersecurity Risks and Threats

Hackers can do these mischiefs for money or to fulfill their malicious desires. Let’s dive deeper and get more particular about threats.

Cyber-attacks on medical devices are becoming more sophisticated. Ransomware can lock down robotic systems, halting surgeries in progress.?

Remote hacking can take control of the robot, manipulating its movements or even altering surgical outcomes. These attacks can lead to catastrophic results, from botched surgeries to data breaches that jeopardize patient safety.

The possible disclosure of private patient information is another serious risk. Important data, including medical records and surgical plans, are at risk when robotic devices are incorporated into bigger hospital networks. In addition to jeopardizing patient privacy, unauthorized access to this data damages confidence.

Challenges in Securing Healthcare Robotics

Complex System?

• The biggest challenge in securing healthcare robotics is to align with the complex integration of advanced robotics, AI, and medical technologies.
• Surgical robots and assistive devices interact with multiple systems and networks. This increases the number of potential entry points for cyber threats.
• As these systems become more interconnected, ensuring comprehensive security becomes increasingly difficult.

Outdated Systems

• Many older robotic systems use outdated hardware and software that were made before modern cybersecurity standards. This makes them more vulnerable because they lack the defenses needed to protect against advanced cyber-attacks.

Lack of standardized protocols

• There is no universally accepted framework for securing healthcare robotics. Without consistent cybersecurity guidelines, hospitals and manufacturers are left to develop their own measures and that leads to uneven protection.

Insider threats

• Medical staff or hospital personnel with access to robotic systems may unintentionally or intentionally compromise security.
• Unauthorized access, whether accidental or malicious, can result in system manipulation or data breaches, endangering patient safety.

Cybersecurity Best Practices for Healthcare Robotics

By considering challenges and major threats, you must be frightened of robots in medical surgeries. So, if it causes these many problems, should we avoid using robots in healthcare industries? The answer is a big no!?

If we become afraid of the misuse of technology we won’t be able to grow in science and technology. What we can do is, find the best solutions to this problem. And, the solution in this case is strong cybersecurity.?

Secure Software Development and Regular Patching

Robotic systems require frequent updates to address vulnerabilities. Secure coding practices and regular bug fixes can prevent hackers from exploiting system weaknesses.

Multi-Layered Security Approach

Employ multiple security layers, such as firewalls, encryption, and authentication protocols, to strengthen system defenses and deter cybercriminals.

Network Segmentation

Isolate robotic systems from the main hospital network to limit access points and prevent cyber attacks from spreading across systems.

Employee Training and Access Control

Educate healthcare workers on cybersecurity best practices. Enforce strict access controls to ensure only authorized personnel can operate or interact with robotic systems.

Real-Time Monitoring and Incident Response

Continuously monitor robotic systems for potential threats. A well-prepared incident response plan can help address security breaches swiftly.

Stitching Together Safety and Technology

Technology is being so advanced that we are now able to conduct operations that are humanly impossible. Robots made several surgeries so smooth and easy and helped save millions of lives. But these life-saving robots can turn into evil with cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity in medical robotics becomes crucial to keeping the integrity of the medical industry. Let’s move forward to a healthy and secure life.