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By Rick Delgado
Fri | Jun 23, 2017 | 5:17 AM PDT

As more and more advancements in technology make their way to the healthcare industry, healthcare professionals can expect to see an increase in the demand for higher security measures protecting healthcare data.

Through this incorporation in the healthcare industry of more advanced technology, the amount of valuable and sensitive data these devices curate increases. This rise in information collected by healthcare technology, whether by facility-based devices or at home devices, leads to a need for more security within the healthcare industry.

One of the newest technologies facing the healthcare industry right now is their adoption of healthcare IoT devices and the problems this may cause.

With the increased amount of devices hitting the market equipped with internet capabilities, the Internet of Things (IoT) trend continues to grow, especially within the healthcare industry.

This connection of multiple devices to the internet allows our gadgets to communicate with us and each other, making our everyday life more convenient. And convenience is especially important for healthcare facilities and professionals who work to save lives every day.

The influence of this technology trend is expected to have major impacts on how consumers, companies, and other organizations interact with the physical world. IoT technology solutions have the potential to continue innovating and growing for years to come.

However, before the healthcare industry can dive into the wonderful world of IoT devices, they need to consider the pros and cons that come with investing in this type of technology.

While some IoT devices that are used for patient care are more secure than other devices used for convenience around the facility, the healthcare industry still needs to exercise caution when it comes to protecting private information.

Here are four strengths and weaknesses that the healthcare industry should consider when adopting IoT solutions:

1. Convenient features

As mentioned before, investing in IoT solutions can make a healthcare professional's day to day workload smoother and more efficient. These IoT objects can automate, communicate, and exchange data through the internet.

Whether it's ordering more coffee for the coffee pot, organizing files, or working to diagnose a patient, IoT devices can save a healthcare facility time spent on everyday tasks. With the incorporation of IoT devices, staff members are no longer required to perform mundane tasks such as ordering supplies and tracking inventory.

Adopting IoT solutions can also allow for uniformity in the tasks being performed, as well as help to maintain the quality of service performed by a healthcare facility.

2. Compatibility issues

With IoT technology being so new, there is currently not an established international standard of compatibility for companies developing IoT devices to adhere to.

As the healthcare industry purchases IoT capable devices from different manufacturers, there is a chance that compatibility challenges between gadgets may arise. Without this standard, devices may refuse to communicate with each other.

Until an international standard of compatibility is established, healthcare facilities may choose to purchase IoT products from a single manufacturer in order to avoid these compatibility issues.

3. Personalization capacities    

The data that IoT devices can produce and the ability to customize it has endless possibilities for the healthcare industry. With IoT devices being able to communicate with each other, healthcare professionals have the opportunity to personalize how they want their work day to run.

By scheduling the coffee pot to turn on at 6:30 a.m. every day, programming the break room fridge to always be stocked with the right food, and setting the office thermostat to keep the room temperature more consistent, a healthcare professional's ability to personalize their daily routine is even easier, creating an overall environment of consistency within the facility.

4. Security threats

Considering all the pros and cons discussed above about adopting IoT technology solutions, the main risk that IoT technology presents the healthcare industry is its vulnerability to security threats. Devices these days can track nearly anything, from the number of footsteps you take to the mental effects of stress.

With more and more healthcare devices being connected to the internet, creating data, and storing personal information, there are more routes available for hackers to access this private information and for a healthcare facility to experience a security breach.

As the healthcare industry looks for IoT technology solutions to invest in, it is important that facilities search for devices that have integrated security systems that are capable of protecting their data and preventing a security breach.

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