Philips’ Michael McNeil talks medical device cybersecurity

In May of this year, Michael McNeil, Philips’ Head of Global Product Security & Services, was interviewed by US media about current trends in medical device cybersecurity, and how device manufacturers can help hospitals prepare for online threats.

Medical device customers are already integrating product security vetting into their vendor selection processes. In a Wall Street Journal article titled ‘Rattled by Cyberattacks, Hospitals Push Device Makers to Improve Security’ (paywall), Michael provides a valuable perspective on Philips’ industry-leading cybersecurity efforts. For both its own products and the third-party software in its systems, Philips has a policy of proactive cybersecurity information sharing. Michael also outlined how Philips supports industry-wide standardization of customer security questionnaires, so that customers can get the information they need faster and more efficiently.

In a Hearst Television broadcast, ‘Efforts to protect patients from cyberattacks grow’, which includes a graphic simulation of how a cyberattack could affect patient care, Michael candidly notes that the medical device industry has historically been behind other industries in cybersecurity defense but that companies such as Philips are rapidly stepping up to advance the state of the art. He is convinced that cybersecurity cannot be seen as a device manufacturer issue alone. Collaboration between hospitals, manufacturers, regulatory agencies such as the FDA, and the research community are essential to successful end-to-end protection of hospitals and their patients.

For more information about Philips’ cybersecurity efforts, visit the Philips Product Security web page and read our Product Security Statement and Philips Cybersecurity White Papers.