Beyond the Firewall: The Invisible Battlefield of Medical Devices
- Research Staff
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 15
The growing and often-overlooked threats posed by Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices in healthcare, highlighting their unique vulnerabilities and proposing a tactical defense.
 | Connected medical devices are integral to modern healthcare, yet their inherent vulnerabilities create a critical security gap. Attacks on these devices can harm patients, disrupt essential services, and compromise sensitive data. |
Takeaways
IoMT devices are prime targets for cyberattacks, which can have a direct impact on patient care.
Many medical devices run outdated software with known vulnerabilities.
Network segmentation isolates devices, preventing the spread of malware and other threats.
Strong access controls and continuous monitoring are necessary.
Procure secure devices and ensure ongoing vendor support.
The digital perimeter of any organization is under constant siege, a truth I affirm in my strategic analyses. Yet, focusing solely on external adversaries is akin to fortifying the city walls while leaving the gates unguarded from within. In healthcare, this oversight is perilous. We routinely spend vast sums on network defenses, but what about the devices that monitor heartbeats, deliver medication, or provide life-saving imaging?
These are the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), representing a new, expanding, and often invisible battlefield. Most people view these devices as purely clinical tools; they are wrong. They are networked computers, and their compromise can have a direct impact on patient wellness. The healthcare sector has adopted IoMT for compelling reasons: better patient outcomes, streamlined operations, and faster diagnoses.
This progress, however, brings an equal measure of risk. An alarming 22% of healthcare organizations have experienced cyberattacks that directly impacted medical devices, and three-quarters of these incidents disrupted patient care, including 24% that required patient transfers. This is not a hypothetical concern; it is a current operational reality.
The Anatomy of IoMT Vulnerability: Why These Devices Are Different
Securing IoMT devices is a puzzle. Key factors complicate it:
Legacy Systems: Many devices run on outdated operating systems, some no longer supported, making them vulnerable to known exploits. Over 40% of medical devices are nearing the end of their life cycle.
Limited Patching: Proprietary software and manufacturer control mean slow or non-existent patch releases. In 2024, unpatched infusion pumps accounted for over 70% of the surveyed devices.
Security by Afterthought: Older devices often lack basic security features, such as strong authentication or encryption. The FBI reported that 53% of networked medical devices have at least one known critical vulnerability.
Flat Networks: IoMT devices are often on flat networks, allowing attackers to move laterally across the hospital network if one device is compromised.
The Consequences: Beyond Data Theft, Beyond Productivity Loss
The impact of a compromised medical device reaches directly into patient care:
Direct Patient Harm: A manipulated infusion pump could administer an incorrect dosage, or a falsified diagnostic image could lead to a wrong diagnosis. Such scenarios move cybersecurity from data protection to life protection.
Operational Paralysis: Attacks on IoMT can render devices inoperable, forcing hospitals to revert to manual processes or divert patients. Among affected organizations, 46% required manual processes, 44% reported delayed diagnoses or procedures, and 44% had extended patient stays.
Data Exfiltration: Compromised devices can serve as gateways for attackers to steal Protected Health Information (PHI).
Consider the June 2024 attack by the Qilin ransomware group on Synnovis, a pathology services provider. Attackers first compromised a medical imaging device, then moved laterally to exfiltrate 400GB of sensitive healthcare data and disrupt blood testing services.
This illustrates how a seemingly isolated device vulnerability can cascade into widespread clinical disruption.
Claroty's "State of CPS Security: Healthcare Exposures 2025" report found that 99% of healthcare organizations manage IoMT devices with known exploited vulnerabilities, and 96% of those have vulnerabilities linked to ransomware. Imaging systems are particularly at risk.
A Strategist's Defense: Fortifying the IoMT Front Line
Securing IoMT demands a strategic, methodical approach across IT, clinical, and procurement departments.
Device Inventory and Risk Assessment: Maintain a detailed inventory of all IoMT devices, their software, network connections, and clinical risk levels. Prioritize security for critical, patient-facing devices.
Network Segmentation and Zero Trust: Isolate IoMT devices on dedicated, segmented networks. A zero-trust model, where no device or user is trusted by default, is a must.
Patch Management and Vulnerability Mitigation: Collaborate with manufacturers for security updates. When patches are unavailable, use compensating controls like strict network segmentation or virtual patching.
Strong Access Controls and Authentication: Implement role-based access control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for management interfaces. Change default credentials immediately.
Continuous Monitoring and Anomaly Detection: Deploy specialized tools to monitor network traffic and device behavior for anomalies. AI-powered tools can identify unusual patterns.
Secure Procurement and Lifecycle Management: Security should be a key factor in device procurement. Demand a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and a clear plan for ongoing security updates.
Staff Training and Collaboration: Train biomedical engineers, IT staff, and clinicians on the cybersecurity of IoMT. Foster open communication to address incidents quickly.
A 2025 study found that 35% of healthcare organizations now identify Operational Technology (OT) systems, including medical devices, as their biggest cybersecurity concern, surpassing traditional IT systems.
Final Thought
The integration of IoMT into healthcare offers unprecedented capabilities, but it also creates an "invisible battlefield." The vulnerabilities in these life-sustaining machines are not theoretical; they represent direct threats to patient wellness and the operational continuity of our healthcare systems.
As a cybersecurity strategist, my directive is clear: we must extend our forensic scrutiny and tactical defenses beyond the conventional network perimeter. We must treat every connected medical device as a potential point of compromise, demanding security by design, vigilant monitoring, and a decisive response. Our ability to heal, care for, and innovate depends on our capacity to secure this hidden digital front.
5 Short and Straightforward Bulleted
Sources Used:
Claroty. (2025). State of CPS Security: Healthcare Exposures 2025.
Edge Solutions. (2024). 5 Must-Know Secrets to Securing Your IoMT Devices.
Elisity. (2024). Healthcare Cybersecurity in 2025: Why Claroty's Medigate, Microsegmentation and IoMT Security Are Critical for Compliance.
FDA. (2025). Cybersecurity in Medical Devices: Quality System Considerations and Content of Premarket Submissions.
Help Net Security. (2025). Medical device cyberattacks push hospitals into crisis mode.
Jain Tech International. (2024). How to Secure Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) Devices.
Open MedScience. (2025). Guarding Connected Care: Cyber Security for Medical Devices in 2025.
Palo Alto Networks. (2025). IoMT Security Is Critical as Patients Take Control of Own Healthcare.
RunSafe Security. (2025). 2025 Medical Device Cybersecurity Index.
RAPS. (2025). FDA replaces cybersecurity guidance for medical devices, again.
TechTarget. (2025). 3 surprising cybersecurity risks in medical device software.
Verizon. (2023). Data Breach Investigations Report.
About Stanley Beck, MIS
Stanley Beck is a cybersecurity strategist with a mind wired for forensic precision. With a Master’s in Information Systems and an insatiable curiosity for digital ecosystems, he navigates the cyber landscape like a seasoned cryptographer—deciphering anomalies, neutralizing vulnerabilities, and staying ahead of evolving threats.
