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Former FBI Cyber Chief Urges More Proactive Approach to Cybersecurity

 
• By Joanne S. Eglovitch

Medtech companies need to up its game in fighting cybersecurity threats, says former chief of FBI’s cyber operations section. If not dealt with effectively, these threats can affect the function of pacemakers or compromise the intellectual property of manufacturers developing new drugs. While the risks of cyberattacks are growing, industry response has been lackadaisical at best, according to Jerry Bessette.

Hacker in a blue hoody standing in front of a code background with binary streams and information security terms cybersecurity concept

The device and drug industries need to take a more aggressive approach to countering cybersecurity threats, says Jerry Bessette, associate director of Navigant Consulting and former chief of FBI’s cyber operations section. The risks are growing and these industries cannot afford to sit back and wait for more such attacks, warned during an Aug. 17 webinar sponsored by Xavier University.

Bessette discussed the industries' readiness to handle cyberattacks, and shared examples of recent hacking events that expose vulnerabilities, and strategies to address the problems.

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