The implications of cardiac device cybersecurity responsibilities and challenges faced by policymakers, manufacturers, and patients

ABSTRACT

Introduction

As digital health expands, reliance on digital endpoints is rapidly increasing to improve diagnostic accuracy and management in the healthcare field. Digital endpoints are beneficial to monitor how patient’s clinical information is processed outside of a clinical setting.

Areas Covered

Implications of cardiac digital endpoints play a role in allowing patients to track their clinical data outside of a clinical setting. Advances in cardiac digital endpoints involve advanced devices and implants, trackers, and artificial intelligence. We will explore further digital endpoints within cardiology and threats as well as security concerns for policies to focus on the maintenance of safe patient health data analysis, transmission, and processing.

Expert Opinion

As digital endpoints evolve and expand, policymakers must ensure there is adequate cybersecurity surrounding them. We believe guidelines should be in place to make sure data is accessed solely on a secure connection and access to digital literacy for patients should be readily available.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital endpoints
• cybersecurity
• cyberthreat
• remote
• artificial intelligence (AI)

Article highlights

• Digital endpoints have been increasingly implemented in patient management within the field of cardiology.

• Digital endpoints serve as a way to monitor a patient’s symptoms outside of the hospital, allowing providers to gain a more holistic approach prior to determining the next best course of management.

• With the use of digital endpoints, it is essential for policymakers to ensure the safety of patient data.

• Through the provision of education and increased awareness, cyberattacks can be prevented by recognizing incidences and creating designated roles for healthcare team members to take precautions.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.