Why Edge and Fog Computing Might Hurt Healthcare

Although it may seem like edge and fog computing would be beneficial for the healthcare industry, it might not actually be the case. Let’s find out why.

People often bring up edge and fog computing when they discuss how fast processing speeds have benefits for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The goal of fog computing is to increase efficiency. Because it processes data at the edge of a network, transfer times go down. So, it seems like fog computing is an excellent fit for healthcare.

However, there are several reasons why that might not be the case.

1. Edge Computing Could Increase the Potential Attack Points

Experts warn that the rise of edge computing could give hackers more opportunities to steal data. That's because the equipment used for edge computing may not be as tightly controlled as physical data centers.

As such, it could take longer for people to realize an attack happened. Considering the value of health-related data, cybercriminals may eventually try to infiltrate edge computing points first — especially if overall security doesn't improve.

2. Many IoT Device Risks are Seen in Edge Computing Equipment

People who are in the know about cybersecurity often raise the alarm about the lack of security in IoT devices. And, analysts say numerous risks associated with IoT devices — such as that they aren't made with data safety in mind and don't receive frequent updates — also hold true for edge computing devices.

Plus, there are concerns that as manufacturers create the equipment that makes edge computing possible, they may be so concerned with rushing to the market that they overlook shortcomings that could lead to breaches later.

3. Healthcare Facilities Lack the IT Budgets They Need

Another issue that could make edge and fog computing risky for health facilities is that those entities generally know that device security is a concern, but they don't have sufficient budgets that allow them to devote the necessary amount of money to IT concerns.

Those findings came about from a poll that revealed only 37% of organizations had budgets that enabled deploying their device security strategies.

4. The Distribution of Content in the Fog is Troublesome

One of the security-related advantages of fog computing is that it distributes content across numerous sites. So, if portions of files get distributed across several locations instead of one, hackers can't access useful information during attacks. Concerning healthcare, though, it could also become difficult to ensure all the sites storing parts of the files are managed strictly enough.

Data processing happens at local sites, but in healthcare, specific rules dictate how organizations can share and store data. Specifically, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has several requirements for how facilities must store and transmit data. Many providers saw a need in the marketplace and offered options that are HIPAA-compliant, such as online fax services.

HIPAA breaches could lead to significant fines and even jail time for those found negligent. Title II violations are the most common related to HIPAA noncompliance. They're associated with secure data communications, plus the measures that must be in place to safeguard data.

Although the distribution of data fog computing makes it more difficult for hackers to access the information they can use, it also makes it more challenging for health facilities to ensure that all the locations that store and transmit data meet the security minimums that the healthcare sector requires.

5. Edge and Fog Computing are Already Impacting Healthcare

Hospitals are embracing edge computing due to the way it speedily transmits and processes data. Then, it's possible for providers to rapidly analyze data and make improvements, like reduced hospital wait times and better health outcomes. Fog computing results in an extra layer of computing power between an IoT device and the cloud.

It can also triage information and decide what things to process quickly. Experts in fog computing believe that the technology will spur a transition to population-based health and allow for a better understanding of the health matters that impact segments of society.

But, academics have examined the security risks of the sensors that collect data. Researchers have raised the point that some kinds of personally identifiable information (PII) are more vulnerable to allowing people to potentially extract data that could help them identify individuals within a pool of data.

The full-text of the paper recommends fine-grain anonymization of such data before publication. This concern illustrates that although it's easy to see all the positive ways in which edge and fog computing could affect healthcare, it's also necessary to look deeper and understand the possible unintended consequences of those technologies.

6. Emerging Technologies Require Exercising Caution

One reality associated with any new technology is that it's often impossible to see all of its shortcomings in the early stages. Since analysts have already raised concerns about edge computing and fog computing, responsible healthcare facilities must take those things into account before deciding to deploy these technologies.

Although many may conclude that the benefits outweigh the risks, the sensitive and valuable nature of health data cannot be overemphasized.

If entities in the healthcare sector choose to depend on these technologies for all the perks they offer, it's also necessary to be constantly vigilant about current and potential security issues.

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About the Author
Kayla Matthews is a researcher, writer, and blogger covering topics related to technology, smart gadgets, the future of work and personal productivity. She writes about cybersecurity, technology and data privacy for publications like InformationWeek, CloudTweaks, and ITProPortal.
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