FDA has issued a warning

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to patients and healthcare providers that certain Medtronic MiniMed some insulin pumps carry cybersecurity risks.

The alert reads, in part

"The FDA has become aware that an unauthorized person (someone other than a patient, patient caregiver, or health care provider) could potentially connect wirelessly to a nearby MiniMed insulin pump with cybersecurity vulnerabilities and change the pump's settings to either over-deliver insulin to a patient, leading to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), or stop insulin delivery, leading to high blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis."

Both conditions are life-threatening, so this alert should be taken seriously.

Medtronic is recalling the following MiniMed pumps

The company is also providing alternative pumps to impacted patients

  • The MiniMed 508 (all versions)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm 511 (all versions)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm 512/712 (all versions)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm 515/715 (all versions)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm 522/722 (all versions)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm 522K/722K (all versions)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm 523/723 (version 2.4A or lower)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm 523K/723K (version 2.4A or lower)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm 712E (all versions)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm Veo 544CM/754CM (version 2.7A or lower)
  • The MiniMed Paradigm Veo 554/754 (version 2.6A or lower)

It should be noted that to date, the FDA has not been made aware of any reports of hackers gaining unauthorized access to insulin pumps and changing settings.  Even so, given the presence of these vulnerabilities, it's just a matter of time and the consequences could be lethal.

Our perspective

If you or any member of your family is currently using one of the devices mentioned above, please get in touch with Medtronic right away. Make arrangements to have a replacement insulin pump sent to you.  It's not worth the risk to do anything less.

Meanwhile, check out this report

This free executive report may give you insights into how to build your business with safe IT environments: 10 Hidden IT Risks That Might Threaten Your Business and 1 Easy Way to Find Them

The author

Thanks for reading this short post. For more tips on thriving with small business technology, check out the other blog posts at DWPia Blogs. I am also available on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Cybersecurity Expert, Small Business Technology Consultant, Managed Services Provider, Managed IT SupportI am Denis Wilson, President and Principal Consultant for DWP Information Architects. I help professionals grow their business by building a foundation of rock-solid information solutions for smaller healthcare, insurance, financial, legal, and nonprofits firms in Ventura County and San Fernando Valley. And have created cost-effective IT solutions, for over 20 years, specializing in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. I am also a published author and speaker, working extensively with a variety of organizations, as well as providing small business technology education programs through business and professional associations. This just in: I will be speaking regularly at California Lutheran University's Center for Nonprofit Leadership starting in September.

Contact me if you would like me to speak at your association.