IU Health opens testing lab to support medical device security

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana University Health has opened a laboratory to test medical devices for vulnerabilities to cyberhacking. The lab will research technology solutions that can combat the rise in hacking threats to commonly used, Internet-linked medical devices such as infusion pumps, blood pressure monitors and EKG machines.

“The new IU Health lab responds to a pressing need in healthcare to protect medical devices from cyber attacks that can compromise patient care,” said Nick Sturgeon, director of information services for IU Health. “Few health systems have committed to an initiative like this to protect the medical devices they rely on. Findings from the lab’s research are expected to improve cybersecurity within the healthcare industry and prevent harm from cyber attacks that are increasing in number and severity.”

IU Health will collaborate with private companies, universities and other partners in the lab’s research and funding. The state-of-the-art lab is based at 16 Tech innovation park in Indianapolis. IU Health is a member of 16 Tech.

Nationally, cybersecurity has become a top federal priority. Last month President Joe Biden signed an executive order outlining federal measures to improve the nation’s cybersecurity, including in medical devices. With the growing use of telehealth and other virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical providers and patients increasingly rely on medical devices that are connected to the Internet and require protection from targeted cyber attacks.