Medtech companies need to up its game in fighting cybersecurity threats, says former chief of FBI’s cyber operations section. If not dealt with effectively, these threats can affect the function of pacemakers or compromise the intellectual property of manufacturers developing new drugs. While the risks of cyberattacks are growing, industry response has been lackadaisical at best, according to Jerry Bessette.

A Symantec cybersecurity expert says that while there have been no reports so far of medical devices being affected by the new Petya ransomware worm, device companies should not underestimate its threat and need to work with partners, including hospitals, to prevent potential harm to patients.

Preventing cyberattacks on medical technology occupies the waking thoughts of device software manufacturers, but the global ransomware episode in mid-May shows that companies must also be alive to threat posed to their provider customers.