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Vulnerability to electronic hacking is a major concern for all people, including those in the medical world. We are increasingly dependent on computers not only for our electronic medical records but also to run nearly all medical devices, including permanent pacemakers (PPMs) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).
A report by an investment research firm in 2016 about the potential for hacking of PPMs produced by Abbott caused widespread concern. Even though others could not duplicate this vulnerability, Abbott produced a firmware patch. However, it is possible that the PPM would not pace during the download of the patch for 1 to 3 minutes, which, in a very few devices, could cause permanent malfunction, catastrophic for patient…