Center For Internet Security Preparing Medical Device Safety Guidelines

 Posted on July 16, 2013 in Defective Medical Devices

The latest concern to rip though the field of medical devices is regarding the security placed within those devices. Recent pranks have demonstrated that it's extremely easy to hack into these devices and alter the controls, presenting a safety risk to the patients depending on these defective medical devices. The Center For Internet Security is a nonprofit group that provides advice to government agencies and private companies, and the group has announced the development of guidelines for medical device manufacturers to consider in the development and refinement of their products.

The goal of the report is to help manufacturers reduce malfunctions coming from computer viruses and to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the data connected to these devices. With some simple protection tips, individuals using critical machines can feel safer about the devices they use every day. The organization has requested information and cooperation from hospitals and medical professionals around the country in the development of these guidelines.

Defective medical devices present serious challenges to physicians who endorse them and encourage their use as well as the patients who rely on them. While some medical devices, like metal hip implants, have made the news as a result of faulty product design, security should be considered just as important a component as the development of safely operating machines. Someone using a medical device that can easily be hacked and tampered with presents a sudden and uncertain danger- the patient may not even realize what's happened to the device until it's too late. Without the protection of internet security and other protocols, thousands of patients are exposed to the potential risk of hacking and computer viruses. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a defective medical device, contact a qualified Illinois personal injury attorney with experience in defective medical devices.