"HC3 Details Healthcare Cybersecurity Implications of AI, 5G, Emerging Tech"
The US Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) released a brief that looks at various emerging technologies, their roles in healthcare, and how they intersect with security. The briefing focuses specifically on Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G cellular network technology, smart hospitals, and more, which hold significant potential to revolutionize healthcare. Although AI is not inherently insecure, security and healthcare experts have long expressed concern about the possibility of security mishaps if AI is handled incorrectly, according to HC3. Since AI algorithms require a lot of data to draw clinical conclusions, users must consider the security of Protected Health Information (PHI) at every step. AI must be implemented with caution and knowledge of security risks to succeed. HC3 also went into great detail about 5G cellular network technology in healthcare, highlighting that 5G can reduce latency, allowing healthcare organizations to better leverage AI and telemedicine. 5G is expected to enable telesurgery due to its low latency and enhancements to robotics, which would then aid surgery. 5G may also improve remote care and encourage the use of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices. The brief did point out, however, that 5G-enabled healthcare technologies and IoMT devices face many of the same security risks. Operators must navigate the challenges of securing devices as they connect to the network and ensure the dependability and resilience of IoMT software and firmware development. Furthermore, organizations should have processes in place for performing vulnerability testing on 5G devices and updating software regularly. This article continues to discuss key points made in HC3's briefing on emerging technology and the security implications for the health sector.