Up to this point in time, there has been little work done on cyber security in the healthcare domain. This is perhaps surprising, as research into healthcare and healthcare technologies has generally been very well funded.
This is the rationale behind the NCSC-funded initiative Workshops in Healthcare Science and Technology (WIHST).
We see a future where healthcare records across the country will be integrated and standardised. Where medical devices are interconnected and easily accessible by computers and mobile devices. Where technologies such as health test kits and robotics will be used to help the elderly and infirm. And where computers and mobile devices can provide a virtual GP service that uses AI to deliver healthcare to patients and the general public.
But with these developing technologies come inherent risks. These interconnected systems can be vulnerable to attack by viruses, trojans and malware by a range of malicious actors. Data can be obtained fraudulently and used to blackmail healthcare providers. How can we protect against this?
The WIHST Scoping Workshop has scoped out what the developing technologies in healthcare are. We identified seven research priorities:
- Integrated electronic health records and data capture
- Ubiquitous computing
- Assisted living
- Virtual GP
- Interconnected medical devices and sensors
- Robotics
- Home exam kit
Five of these priorities: interconnected medical devices, integrated health records, assisted living, robotics and virtual GP, will be discussed further in the second workshop, taking place on 26th November 2018, at Woburn House, London.