U of M, along with manufacturers, launches Center for Medical Device Cybersecurity

Boston Scientific, Smiths Medical, Optum, Medtronic and Abbott Laboratories are funding the bulk of the activities at the University of Minnesota's new center.

The University of Minnesota announced that it was launching a new Center for Medical Device Cybersecurity aimed at fostering collaborations among university, industry and government representatives.

• The University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering, the Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center and the office of the vice president for research will all function as on-campus collaborators.
• "While manufacturers can ensure a high-level of safety through testing, the security of connected-devices remains a growing and moving target, making this collaboration and the work of the CMDC critical to the industry and all those it serves," said TLI director Allison Hubel in a statement.
• THE LARGER TREND As care moves beyond the confines of a clinic or hospital room, security experts have emphasized the importance of safeguarding all endpoints, including connected medical devices.
• "Through the establishment of the Center for Medical Device Cybersecurity, the university is poised to develop future workforce leaders and conduct cutting-edge research that will elevate the entire industry in this vitally important and expanding space," she said.