Medical devices can also increase the risks of potential cybersecurity threats. Aleem.M.A., Hakkim.A.M. BMJ 2017;357:j2375

BMJ

Editorials

Effective cybersecurity is fundamental to patient safety

BMJ 2017; 357 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j2375 (Published 17 May 2017)

Cite this as: BMJ 2017;357:j2375

Rapid response

Re: Effective cybersecurity is fundamental to patient safety

Medical devices can also increase the risks of potential cybersecurity threats.

Digitalisation of individuals' information and their health status reports may be hacked, misused and misinterpreted if there is no tight cybersecurity.

The increased use of wireless technology and software even in medical devices can also increase the risks of potential cybersecurity threats.

This will increase more when medical devices are increasingly connected to the Internet, hospital networks, and to other medical devices.

So medical device manufacturers and health care facilities should take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards in this matter.

Competing interests: No competing interests

19 May 2017

M.A Aleem

Neurologist

A.M.Hakkim

ABC Hospital

Annamalainagar. Trichy 620018. Tamilnadu. India

@drmaaleem