Abstract

OVERCOMING DESIGN CHALLENGES FOR SECURE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES-ROLE OF PHARMACISTS

Hussain Mahdi Aljawad* and Fouad Hamed Alamri

ABSTRACT

Background: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) have revolutionized patient care by performing critical therapeutic functions. However, with the integration of complex electronic systems, security vulnerabilities have become increasingly concerning, jeopardizing patient safety. Aim: This survey paper aims to examine the design challenges associated with IMD security, highlight relevant design principles, and propose defensive tactics to enhance security measures. Methods: The study employs a comprehensive review of existing literature on IMD security vulnerabilities, categorizing them into control and privacy vulnerabilities. Threat modeling is also explored to anticipate potential adversarial attacks, emphasizing the importance of early security integration in device design. Results: The findings\reveal that IMDs, such as insulin pumps, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and biosensors, face unique security challenges. Common vulnerabilities include unencrypted communications and inadequate input validation, which can be exploited by both passive and active adversaries. Conclusion: By prioritizing security measures during the design phase and incorporating well-established security practices, developers can significantly enhance the resilience of IMDs against potential threats. This holistic approach is essential to safeguard patient information and ensure the safe functionality of these life-sustaining devices.

Keywords: Implantable medical devices, security vulnerabilities, threat modeling, design principles, patient safety.