Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Cybersecurity Risk and Threat Communications Related To The Medical Internet Of Things (MIoT)

TL;DR

This paper investigates the communication of cybersecurity risks in the Medical Internet of Things (MIoT), highlighting the importance of effective risk communication to vulnerable healthcare patients through a case study involving medical device specialists.

Contribution

It provides empirical data on cybersecurity risk communication challenges in MIoT healthcare settings, emphasizing the need for improved patient communication strategies.

Findings

Identified gaps in cybersecurity risk communication to patients.

Highlighted the vulnerability of cardiac device patients to cybersecurity threats.

Provided insights for enhancing healthcare cybersecurity education and communication.

Abstract

As device interconnectivity and ubiquitous computing continues to proliferate healthcare, the Medical Internet of Things (MIoT), also well known as the, Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) or the Internet of Healthcare Things (IoHT), is certain to play a major role in the health, and well-being of billions of people across the globe. When it comes to issues of cybersecurity risks and threats connected to the IoT in all of its various flavors the emphasis has been on technical challenges and technical solution. However, especially in the area of healthcare there is another substantial and potentially grave challenge. It is the challenge of thoroughly and accurately communicating the nature and extent of cybersecurity risks and threats to patients who are reliant upon these interconnected healthcare technologies to improve and even preserve their lives. This case study was conducted to assess the scope and depth of cybersecurity risk and threat communications delivered to an extremely vulnerable patient population, semi-structured interviews were held with cardiac medical device specialists across the United States. This research contributes scientific data in the field of healthcare cybersecurity and assists scholars and practitioners in advancing education and research in the field of MIoT patient communications.