Are implanted electronic devices hackable?

Medical devices have become increasingly connected in recent years. While this added interconnectivity has provided capabilities for wireless communication and remote monitoring, it has also introduced possible risks for cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Lately, there has been an increased awareness of the potential for cybersecurity breaches in implanted cardiac devices (pacemakers and defibrillators) among patients, healthcare providers, and the media. In this article, we review the current perspective on cybersecurity in implanted medical devices, including a recent high-profile case example of a cybersecurity threat. We outline the actions taken by all the involved stakeholders in response to the disclosure of potential vulnerabilities in medical devices and summarize the positions of major societies in response to these events.