TOKYO, JAPAN, 21 November 2016 – DITTA, the global voice for the diagnostic imaging, radiation therapy, healthcare ICT, electromedical and radiopharmaceutical industry, re-emphasised with this publication the commitment of its company members to cybersecurity in the Medical Imaging Equipment sector. The report urges all stakeholders to be vigilant in maintaining cybersecurity measures.

The report, entitled “Cybersecurity of Medical Imaging Equipment”, is being published at a time where breaches in security may have compromised patient safety and confidentiality of patient data.

DITTA Chair, Satoshi Kimura, said; “The Medical Imaging Equipment industry takes its responsibilities in cybersecurity very seriously. The insights delivered by Big Data analysis are placing us at the threshold of major advances in care. If we are to realise this opportunity, then stakeholders must be convinced that their personal data is being handled safely and securely.” He stressed that DITTA would act as a resource for cybersecurity standards and regulations in the sector, in collaboration with regulators and professional organisations that represent medical imaging, and IT professionals.

The DITTA White Paper sets out the principles of current best practice for manufacturers and suppliers. It stresses that responsibility for cybersecurity cannot lie with a single stakeholder. Manufacturers and hospital IT departments need to work hand-in-hand to implement these approaches.

This paper also points to security risks from increased connectivity. Medical Imaging Equipment, in line with all computer systems, is increasingly networked through hospital intranet and the internet. This poses its own security risks through network intrusions. The report strongly recommends establishing clearly defined processes for effective cyber prevention, and training all relevant staff to implement and maintain them effectively.