The Department of Homeland Security is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to protect connected medical devices from emerging cyber threats, Federal News Network reported Thursday.
In October, DHS began using the medical device security playbook the FDA issued to guide the government and industry in protecting such technologies. Christopher Butera, deputy director for Cyber Threat Detection and Analysis at DHS’ National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, said the document helps the two agencies, vendors and the research community manage device vulnerabilities.Â
Suzanne Schwartz, associate director for Science and Strategic Partnerships at FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, has her agency encouraging device owners and operators to implement proper segmentation and intrusion detection to secure their networks and health devices. He added vendors should also maintain the balance in servicing and continuously managing the vulnerability and security of the devices.
“FDA has released policy around what our expectations are about the maintenance of devices through its lifecycle, which also includes management of cybersecurity through the lifecycle,†she said.
