Smart Devices & Legacy Systems: The Big Risks in Healthcare Cyber - Ep 157

Reimagining Cyber - real world perspectives on cybersecurity

In this episode of Reimagining Cyber, Rob Aragao (Chief Security Strategist, OpenText) speaks with Ed Gaudet, CEO and founder of Censinet, about the high-stakes intersection of cybersecurity and healthcare. With hospitals increasingly reliant on connected medical devices and legacy systems, the risks extend beyond data breaches—they directly impact patient safety.

Ed shares insights into the unique cybersecurity challenges healthcare organizations face, including outdated systems, siloed risk management, and the complexity of biomed environments. He emphasizes how aligning cybersecurity and clinical engineering under a unified risk framework can improve compliance and operational efficiency. The conversation also explores the evolving role of medical device manufacturers, the importance of unique identifiers, and how actionable risk intelligence is key to improving outcomes.

A highlight of the discussion is the eye-opening research Ed and Censinet conducted with the Ponemon Institute, revealing a 20% increase in mortality rates tied to ransomware attacks—transforming cybersecurity from a technical concern into a patient safety crisis.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategies for managing legacy medical devices securely
• The danger of siloed risk management in healthcare
• How ransomware disrupts care delivery and impacts patient safety
• The need for a single source of truth for cyber risk across organizations
• Why AI must be approached with caution in clinical settings

This episode is a must-listen for healthcare leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone interested in the future of safe, resilient healthcare systems.

Reports referenced in this episode:

Censinet/Ponemon Institute

CISA - Provide Medical Care is in Critical Condition: Analysis and Stakeholder Decision Support to Minimize Further Harm

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