Compromised OT devices post major cybersecurity risk to hospitals


A new analysis identifies compromised Operational Technology (OT) devices as the single largest cybersecurity liability currently facing hospital networks. Unlike traditional Information Technology (IT) systems, OT encompasses the hardware and software that control physical equipment—ranging from HVAC systems and elevators to life-critical MRI machines and infusion pumps. These devices are often "legacy" systems running on outdated, unpatchable software, making them easy entry points for attackers looking to pivot laterally into sensitive clinical networks.

The report highlights that while hospitals have aggressively hardened their IT perimeters, the OT environment remains largely invisible to standard security tools. Attackers are increasingly exploiting this blind spot to launch ransomware attacks that can physically disrupt patient care. The article argues for a paradigm shift in how healthcare organizations view asset management, urging CIOs and CISOs to implement network segmentation and specialized monitoring tools designed specifically to detect anomalies in the unique protocols used by medical and building automation devices.

Read the original article at: https://hitconsultant.net/2025/11/25/why-compromised-ot-devices-are-the-biggest-cyber-risk-for-hospitals/


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