Sensato & Divurgent Announce Formation of Healthcare Medical Device Cybersecurity Task Force To Foster Industry Collaboration and Intelligence Sharing

Medical Devices are a critical component in the caring of and overall safety of a patient's medical care. The Medical Device Cybersecurity Task Force provides a collaborative forum to identify practices and strategies to specifically evolve the security of medical devices.

Red Bank, NJ (PRWEB) January 27, 2016

Medical Devices are a critical component in the caring of and overall safety of patient's medical care. With the ability to purchase medical devices, such as IV smart pumps, on websites, such as EBay, cyber-attackers are able to dissect a device's system, learn how to compromise its security, and ultimately take control of the devices, thereby potentially affecting patient safety.

"We see this risk as something that goes beyond a market opportunity and requires an effective and coordinated call to arms," stated Colin Konschak, CEO and Managing Partner of Divurgent, in speaking about the formation of the task force. "Our goal is to rally the industry and help drive practical solutions that secure the lives of patients before something happens that we would all collectively regret."

The Medical Device Cybersecurity Task Force is a free cross-industry group, comprised of hospitals, cybersecurity researchers, information technology leaders, and medical device manufacturers. The goal of the team is to collaboratively develop cost effect, practical best practices and approaches to securing medical devices in healthcare organizations. Furthermore, the Medical Device Cybersecurity Task Force will act as an intelligence liaison that allows for the collecting and sharing of potential threat intelligence with its members and government agencies. To get further details or join the task force, interested parties can e-mail info(at)sensato(dot)co

Mike Maksymow, CIO of Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, Delaware stated, "The Medical Device Cybersecurity Task Force is a critical channel to bring together industry thought leaders. Through collaboration and focus, we can rapidly evolve the state of cybersecurity as it relates to these devices, and that is a win-win for the entire industry."

Five healthcare organizations, including Beebe Healthcare, are currently members of the task force, representing a cross section of hospital types. Divurgent and Sensato, who are providing resources and funding to sustain the organization, will work as the key coordinators for the task force. The practices developed by the task force will be made available under an open source basis, with the hope that the healthcare industry as a whole will benefit from its work. Those interested in becoming part of the Task Force should e-mail info(at)sensato(dot)co for further details.

"We are no longer in a world where identity theft is our only critical concern, but we are now faced with very really challenges related to patient safety," John Gomez, CEO of Sensato, highlighted. "To sit back and wait for something to occur is inappropriate. Our industry has extremely talented people with tremendous passion who want to take up the fight. We just need to provide a platform that gets people working together, and the Medical Device Cybersecurity Task Force is that platform."

About Sensato: Sensato is a boutique cybersecurity firm that specializes in cybersecurity and privacy solutions for healthcare. Sensato was formed in 2013 and provides strategic guidance, managed services, assessments and software solutions to the healthcare industry. Further details about Sensato can be obtained by e-mailing info(at)sensato(dot)co or visiting http://www.sensato.co

About Divurgent: Divurgent is not the typical healthcare consulting firm. As a nationally recognized company, we are committed to healthcare evolution and the strategies and processes that make it possible. We help our clients evolve in payment and delivery reform, as well as patient engagement, providing higher quality of care, lower cost of care, and healthier communities.

Focused on the business of hospitals, health systems and affiliated providers, Divurgent believes successful outcomes are derived from powerful partnerships. Recognizing the unique culture that every organization offers, we leverage the depth of our experienced consulting team to create customized solutions that best meet our client's goals. Utilizing best practices and methodologies, we help improve our client's operational effectiveness, financial performance, and quality of patient care. For more information about Divurgent, visit us at http://www.divurgent.com

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