IoT security and the psychology of supplier apathy

Warnings about IoT vulnerabilities have resounded across 2020 cybersecurity predictions, but the greatest vulnerability of all is apathy. This charge can potentially be applied to anyone and everyone from healthcare providers to government agencies. What I want to focus on, however, is the supplier community. I increasingly talk to CIOs and CISOs that express a frustration with the behaviour of their suppliers. It seems that many are ambiguous about proactively addressing regulatory standards that are specific to preserving patient safety. As the leaders I talk to often point out to me – it would be a competitive advantage if they did (let alone be ethical). This all applies especially to IoT devices, what with increasing interoperability, mobility and the dawn of 5G where the scope for system failures that could affect patient care are greater than ever.