Probing Insulin Pumps For Vulnerabilities

Several readers have sent in news of a presentation at the Black Hat security conference from a diabetic security researcher, Jerome Radcliffe, who is looking into the security of automated insulin pumps. While most of the headlines are sensationalist, referencing "lethal attacks from a half-mile away," Scott Hanselman breaks down the media reports and weeds out the inaccuracies, explaining that while this is a valid area of concern, diabetics don't need to cover themselves in tinfoil just yet. "Just to be clear, Jerome has not yet successfully wirelessly hacked an insulin pump. He's made initial steps to sniff wireless traffic from the pump. I realize, as I hope you do, that his abstract isn't complete. Hopefully a more complete presentation is forthcoming. I suspect he's exploiting the remote control feature of a pump. ... What Jerome has done, however, is posed a valid question and opened a door that all techie diabetics knew was open. It is however, an obvious question for any connected device. Anyone who has ever seen OnStar start a car remotely knows that there's a possibility that a bad guy could do the same thing."

Comments

There is a bigger picture.

[Dr.Bob,DC]

The problem is not insulin pumps, the larger issue is the epidemic of diabetes the world is dealing with. It's not all about the HFCS you eat.

Did you know that diabetes has been associatted with nervous system disorder?

and also associated with musculoskeletal issues?

Yet more proof that a poorly functioning or subluxation-laden nervous system is the root cause of our suffering.

If you have classic signs of diabetes such as drastic weight loss, frequent urination, loss of energy or loss of appetite please visit a reputable Chiropractic office. Tell the Doctor you are there for symptoms of diabetes. He will examine your spine and radiating nerves for telltale signs of diabetes-causing subluxation and will treat them. You should see relief from your symptoms in only a few short weeks.

If you've suffered real pancreatic damage from, for example, a car accident or gunshot, then you may need to see an MD for insulin.

Take care,
Bob.