Previously non-critical wireless capabilities are moving up the priority queue for hospital IT teams in the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. One example of why wireless security in healthcare is getting increased attention is that COVID-19 patients on average are connected to three infusion or syringe pumps. Remote control of those pumps would minimize contact between the medical staff and the sick patients. While the capability has been offered by medical device manufacturers for years, there has been slow adoption due to IT teams’ confidence in wireless security. These concerns were well founded. Malicious takeover of a wireless (e.g., WiFi) link to control medical devices such as these pumps could endanger a patient’s life. The caution of IT departments to adopt these advanced features is understandable with stakes this high, but remote applications such as these have never been more critical.
COVID-19 infection has increased hospital demand for wireless features even in the face of the theoretical risk of a malicious attack. When measuring the risk, IT departments are opting to protect the medical staff form the clear and present danger of the pandemic.
This shift will continue to gain momentum. COVID-19 has exposed a sensitive and sad truth about the state of wireless security:
Mistrust in Wireless Security in healthcare Prevent Use-Case Adoption that Needs Wireless Technology the Most
LEVL adds trust to wireless links in healthcare environments. It’s the perfect fit for cases such as this hospital example. Our passive approach to device identity management can support the large number of legacy devices that are in use by hospitals. (The average age of a pump in a hospital, believe it or not, is about 15 years.) Our full-stack security approach mitigates any attack, whether on the digital or physical layer. In fact, LEVL’s platform is the first of its kind to guarantee a well-trusted, 1-on-1 communication between any two wireless devices. It secures medical devices from connecting malicious access points and malicious devices from connecting to a hospital’s access points.
A worldwide pandemic has started a revolution in wireless technology adoption. For this revolution to succeed in healthcare critical infrastructure, security and safety must remain a top priority. LEVL provides the perfect solution for companies to meet this top priority in wireless security for years to come.
