Siemens softens advice on hacker-vulnerable imaging systems
Following last week’s advisory from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warning that four medical-imaging systems made by Siemens may be vulnerable to cyberattack, the company has announced it will issue software fixes by the end of this month.
The company has also canceled its earlier advice to immediately disconnect affected devices if they couldn’t be operated in a protected network environment.
According to Reuters, a spokesperson says that, after further review, Siemens no longer believes so drastic a step is warranted.
“Based on the existing controls of the devices and use conditions, we believe the vulnerabilities do not result in any elevated patient risk,” the spokesperson adds. “To date, there have been no reports of exploitation of the identified vulnerabilities on any system installation worldwide.”
The systems flagged for caution include all Windows XP or Windows 7-based versions of Siemens’s PET/CT, SPECT/CT and SPECT systems, along with the company’s SPECT Workplaces/Symbia.net workstation.
To read the rest of the Reuters update, click here.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.