What’s ahead for medtech in 2025? TRIMEDX Senior Vice President of Cybersecurity Scott Trevino was recently interviewed for a series of articles published as part of Citeline Commercial’s Medtech Insight 2025 outlook. Take a look at what Scott and other industry leaders have to say about medical device cybersecurity, cyber-threats, regulation, legislation, the incoming U.S. administration, and more. The articles were published Jan. 6, 2025. Summaries and links to the full articles are below.
Medtech 2025: What Difference Does A Year Make?
Our dozen-plus experts from across the medtech sector agreed that 2024 was the year when AI went mainstream. They expect it to continue shaping the sector into 2025 and also hope for increased international harmonization, a more business-friendly US government, and increased investment.
Scott Trevino says:
2024 was the year of first steps forward: Accepting the need for more effective regulation and/or legislation to address cyber-risks.
2025 will be the year of accelerating actions: Implementation of cyber-risk reduction efforts and increased investments in healthcare cybersecurity.
• • •Medtech 2025: ‘Moving Forward, No Matter What’
Key challenges for 2025 remain enforcement, political issues and potential deregulation, while improved reimbursement and emerging markets offer major advantages. See what else was top of mind for experts contacted by Medtech Insight.
Scott Trevino says:
My biggest concern in the health care cybersecurity space is the increasing cyber-threats and the sophistication of bad actors behind them compared to the lagging health care industry as it pertains to cyber-resilience. That being said, I believe we turn this into our biggest opportunity by addressing health care cybersecurity with a combination of investment, improved legislation/regulation, and health systems’ adoption & investment in solutions that reduce risk and impact patient safety.
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Medtech 2025: Looking Back At The Highs And Lows Of 2024
From regulations to technology to market dynamics, 2024 was a year of change for the device sector. We asked 14 experts from industry, regulators and other stakeholders to tell us which changes were welcome, and which they’d like to leave in the past.
Scott Trevino says:
High points include increasing awareness around the significant challenges the health care industry faces regarding medical device cybersecurity; as well as the introduction of legislation, standards, guidance, and executive orders related to healthcare cybersecurity (e.g., Cassidy-Baldwin bill, Warren-Markey bill, talk of rural health funding for cybersecurity).
Low points include a significant impact of ongoing cyberattacks (e.g., financial, access to care, contributing to closure of some hospitals); and even though the robust dialogue around health care cybersecurity continues, minimal action or change has occurred to improve matters plus unfunded mandates continue to be a challenge.
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Medtech 2025: Deregulation, Tariffs Anticipated From New US Administration
The incoming second Trump administration promises changes for medtech that include both the potential benefits of deregulation and the risks of tariffs. See what a dozen-plus industry experts had to say.
Scott Trevino says:
While changes related to the incoming administration remain to be seen, I think it’s important to continue advocating for the changes and support to improve health care cybersecurity—for the betterment of health systems and, most importantly, the patients receiving the care.
I hope the incoming administration builds upon the progress we’ve seen in recent years and takes action to ensure hospitals can secure their medical devices. Medical devices are often overlooked or treated differently because they require unique protections to ensure they are secure from cyber-threats and operate properly for patient care. I also would encourage the administration and the new Congress to focus on rural health systems, which are particularly exposed to cyber-threats. These vulnerable health systems would benefit from targeted funding to help them bolster their cyber defenses and better serve patients.
Finally, “Right to Repair” continues to be a top priority. It’s essential to ensure health systems have the choice in how to repair their medical devices—whether it’s with the OEM or an independent service organization. This will ultimately improve patient safety by allowing qualified, on-site BMETs to fix medical equipment as soon as an issue arises.