Upgrading the security of these devices could require an entirely new FDA approval, a lengthy and expensive process. The convenience trades off the risk of surgery against the risk of a hacker tampering with treatment. Many devices, such as pacemakers or implantable devices that provide micro-shocks to the brain to treat Parkinson's disease or other neurological disorders, are controlled by mobile apps that allow doctors to adjust treatment without resorting to surgery. With many devices using outmoded operating systems, patients face a unique vulnerability, because a hacker could interfere with treatment. Phones, tablets, connected medical devices and other technologies provide a side door for hackers to infiltrate networks.

But it also creates a direct risk to patient care. The Internet of Things has amplified the number of attack vectors to target the functioning of hospitals, physician practices, outpatient centers and other facilities. The quickest way for hackers to harm a healthcare provider organization is to target patient information, and many of them focus on databases that support electronic health records.

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