Healthcare IoT research prioritizes usability over essential security


 The "Internet of Things" (IoT) in healthcare—which includes smartwatches, heart monitors, and connected hospital beds—is revolutionizing patient care by providing real-time data. However, a new systematic review of research reveals a worrying trend: the rush to adopt these gadgets is outpacing the security needed to protect them. The study found that most current research focuses heavily on making these devices easy to use and efficient, often treating security and privacy as an afterthought rather than a core requirement.

This imbalance poses a significant danger. These devices collect deeply personal health data and transmit it over the internet, creating countless new entry points for hackers. If security isn't built in from the start, a simple smart sensor could become a gateway for a massive data breach. The review concludes that while the operational benefits of IoT are undeniable, the industry must pivot. Future development needs to prioritize "security by design," ensuring that patient data is locked down just as tightly as the physical devices are connected.

Read the original article at: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/13/23/3157


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