Homeland Security cybersecurity investigation reportedly targets Medtronic and St. Jude devices

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Cardiac devices made by Medtronic Inc. and St. Jude Medical Inc. are among the targets of a cybersecurity investigation launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Katharine Grayson

Staff reporter- Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

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Cardiac devices made by Medtronic Inc. and St. Jude Medical Inc. are among the targets of a cybersecurity investigation launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Reuters reports.

Citing an unnamed agency official, the news service said the federal probe wasn't prompted by real-life incidents of people trying to injure patients by hacking into medical devices. DHS is evaluating roughly 24 suspected cybersecurity flaws in devices such as infusion pumps and implantable cardiac devices.

DHS isn't accusing device makers of wrongdoing and is working with them to eliminate security risks through software fixes and other actions.

Cases under study involve an array of products, including hospital networking systems. Additional unnamed agency officials told Reuters that a Hospira Inc. infusion pump and devices made by Little Canada-based St. Jude and Fridley-based Medtronic are part of the investigation.

Officials from Medtronic, St. Jude and Hospira didn't comment to Reuters on the investigation, but said they've taken steps to improve device security.

Concerns that medical devices could become subject to cyber attacks have been around for several years. Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration issued new cybersecurity guidelines to device makers.

Katharine Grayson covers med tech, clean tech, technology, health care and venture capital.