As App and IoT Device Use Rises, So Do Security Concerns

Security concerns related to the growing use of apps and devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare could dampen consumer participation, and developers and provider organizations are ramping up initiatives to address these issues, reports Health Data Management . Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's John Halamka says an app or IoT device program should not be implemented until appropriate intrusion detection tools, malware protection, and auditing processes are set up. "Having medical and engineering training makes creating healthcare IoT applications much easier," he notes. Guaranteeing the security and proper handling of medical information is critical to the future growth of these tools, and developers are striving to bolster protections. A mobile app from Beth Israel helps medically vulnerable persons collect medical device data in-home and transmit the information securely to appropriate care teams. There are many ways that IoT can help providers understand which remote beneficiaries are fine and which ones require aid, says CareBand CEO Adam Sobol. CareBand software on smartphones lets a beneficiary press a button to call for help, and the location immediately pops up for responders. Analyzing the movement of someone with sensors on the smartphone can provide clues as to how likely they may fall, based on location, level of exercise they do, the presence of others in the home, or assisted living communities and compliance with a care regime.