Four Critical Questions to Evaluate Your IoMT Security Posture

Healthcare Delivery Organizations (HDOs) face many obstacles in securing Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices against cyber threats. From limited resources and complex compliance requirements to the unique technical obstacles posed by connected device security, the pressure is constantly rising.

No HDO can afford to leave its IoMT fleet vulnerable, but end-to-end device risk mitigation is challenging without the right resources. Sometimes, staying ahead of risk may necessitate seeking outside support to uplevel internal staff and accelerate device risk reduction. Outside expertise can help supplement internal teams, mentoring them to accelerate remediation efforts and reduce exposure to cyber threats.

If you’re wondering whether now is the time to seek support managing IoMT security, start by asking these four questions:

1. Does your team have the bandwidth to use a risk management product? 

Having a risk management solution is only half the battle—your team also needs the time and expertise to use it effectively. As cyber threats continue to evolve, healthcare technology management (HTM) teams are playing a more active role in the security of IoMT devices. To stem the tide of rising cybersecurity concerns, HTM teams are increasingly responsible for implementing robust cybersecurity controls to protect IoMT devices. 

However, many HTM teams are stretched thin, juggling device oversight and maintenance with operational needs to ensure devices are available and reliable, all with limited staff. At times, such as high-pressure periods like flu season or during extreme weather events, rising patient volumes may divert resources from security, and HTM teams may feel pressure to focus on device reliability and uptime vs. device risk reduction.

Unfortunately, when cybersecurity falls too far down the priority list, it can have adverse consequences for HDOs. Data shows that in 2024, 69% of healthcare organizations experienced disruptions to patient care due to cyberattacks.

Further complicating the matter, many HTM teams are staffed by biomedical professionals who have limited time to gain cybersecurity expertise, and a knowledge gap in best practices can make it challenging for teams to apply best practices to device risk remediation activities. 

If your team doesn’t have the bandwidth to fully engage with a risk reduction tool and proactively address device risk, seeking outside help could be a strategic investment in patient safety.

2. Do you have a dedicated team or user for risk reduction? 

Without clear responsibility for IoMT security and risk reduction activities, tasks will inevitably slip through the cracks. Does your organization have a dedicated individual or team accountable for managing IoMT security risks? A clearly defined structure—such as a RACI matrix—helps establish ownership, accountability, and collaboration across departments, from security and IT to HTM teams to procurement and even third-party partners.

One of the biggest challenges in having a dedicated team for IoMT risk reduction is staffing. Many HDOs still struggle with cybersecurity skill shortages. As of 2024, only 14% of healthcare IT leaders reported that their cybersecurity teams were fully staffed, and nearly 30% acknowledged being understaffed or severely understaffed. Understaffed or lean security teams hamper an HDO’s ability to respond effectively to cyber threats.

Seeking outside help from a third-party partner with deep, targeted expertise in device risk reduction and implementing IoMT security controls can help fill this gap, providing guidance and tactical remediation activities without increasing headcount.

3. How much time are you allocating to work on medical device cybersecurity?

IoMT security is time-consuming. The average hospital has from 10 to 15 connected medical devices per bed, meaning a large hospital can easily have hundreds of devices from multiple manufacturers, and each device must be tracked, monitored, and secured. This sheer volume and diversity complicates not only device visibility but also the process of securing and maintaining devices over time.

How much time is your team spending identifying, assessing, and mitigating device risks? If IoMT risk reduction tasks are not part of your team’s regular workflow, then you’re likely missing critical issues that need to be addressed. The FBI has warned that the average connected healthcare device contains 6.2 vulnerabilities, and 53% have active critical vulnerabilities. Yet, due to limited resources, most security teams can only remediate 5–20% of known vulnerabilities each month.

If your organization has already invested in an IoMT security solution, leveraging managed security services can help organizations optimize their technology investment. A managed security service can facilitate identifying the most at-risk devices, allowing internal teams to focus on the most critical threats before they impact patient safety.

4. Do you have a timeline or GRC considerations for your risk reduction program? 

Maintaining compliance with regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is challenging. And there are other regulatory considerations that HDOs must account for, such as FDA pre- and post-market cybersecurity guidance and internal audit. Meeting compliance and regulatory milestones requires careful coordination across security, compliance, and clinical teams.

Key elements of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC)—including asset inventory, device behavior profiling, and continuous risk assessments—are foundational to any risk reduction strategy. If your organization lacks a timeline or roadmap to meet regulatory expectations, it may be time to bring in a partner who can help guide your efforts and streamline compliance.

Leveraging both a purpose-built IoMT security solution and a managed security service can help HDOs meet complex regulatory requirements. An IoMT security solution provides critical insights into device visibility, risk, and behavior, while a managed security solution can help build a roadmap to compliance, guiding internal teams and streamlining the journey to GRC compliance.

In Need of IoMT Security Support? Asimily Has Your Back

IoMT security is a team sport, and sometimes, the winning strategy includes calling in reinforcements. Outside support through professional services can help HDOs close resource gaps, fast-track remediation efforts, and maximize the value of their existing technology investments. 

From IoMT-specific threat monitoring to hands-on risk reduction, these services offer both strategic guidance and tactical execution. Whether augmenting in-house teams or leading specialized initiatives, external partners bring the focus, expertise, and bandwidth needed to stay ahead of evolving device threats without compromising patient care.

Asimily’s breadth and depth of IoMT platform capabilities and expertise in device risk management make it uniquely qualified to help HDOs manage risk end-to-end across the entire network. To provide organizations with additional support, Asimily’s Risk Reduction Services team helps educate teams on their understanding of their IoMT security posture and mentors them to scale their cybersecurity knowledge.

Interested in learning how Asimily can help your HTM team scale their cybersecurity expertise? Reach out now to book a demo.