Charles Sternberg, Associate Editor06.27.23
Automation is becoming an invaluable part of the orthopedic landscape. Manufacturers are adopting autonomous production methods to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Meanwhile, marketers are utilizing automated software outreach methods that impact sales. Even some orthopedic products are starting to include elements of automation.
For companies in the orthopedics manufacturing industry, these advances can offer exciting prospects. It is vital to also be mindful of the inherent hazards of automation. Left unprotected, automated processes can leave your company vulnerable to disruptions, breaches, and potential litigation. It is, therefore, wise to commit to establishing effective risk management protocols that take automation into consideration.
Firstly, risks to your automated systems can cause significant financial disruption to your organization. Breaches might halt production lines, resulting in missed shipping windows and unsatisfied consumers. In the case of ransomware attacks, you may have to pay cybersecurity experts or even the cybercriminals themselves to have operations running again.
Vulnerable automated systems may even give criminals access to intellectual property (IP), which they may sell to competitors. This can be particularly relevant if, like Zimmer Biomet and Medtronic, you’re introducing innovative products and processes into the market.
It’s also worth remembering that there are unique medical industry risk management imperatives. Any disruptions that lead to quality errors in your product could put you at risk of malpractice lawsuits. Certain consumer data is also likely to be subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If you neglect risk management practices, resulting in breaches, your business could be subject to fines and other regulatory sanctions.
It’s also vital to examine the human risks related to automated systems. Your orthopedic manufacturing process may well utilize self-directed production machines, inventory management, and perhaps automated marketing tools. Yet, at some point, human staff members will still interact with these tools. This means there’s potential for human error.
Work with your staff to get to know how they utilize automation on a day-to-day basis. This can identify actions that may present previously unforeseen vulnerabilities and opportunities to educate workers on secure behavior. Indeed, some workers may have devised independent solutions that minimize automation risk that you can implement on a wider basis.
It’s also vital to keep in contact with your supply chain partners in identifying wider risks. For instance, delivery partners may be using automated tracking processes during the shipping process. This means that though your automated processes aren’t causing breaches, your choice of partners could place patient-identifying information in a position of vulnerability. Being proactive in understanding the risks from production to delivery helps you make more informed decisions.
Firstly, it’s important to create a robust information security policy that underpins and drives all data-related measures in your organization. In essence, this document thoroughly outlines what types of data are kept by the company, what staff and systems have access to different types of data, and what tools should be used to safeguard it. It also details appropriate responses to data loss to ensure your business and any affected stakeholders can overcome the situation swiftly and effectively.
This information security policy can be particularly useful for highlighting what cybersecurity policies are appropriate for various staff, systems, and scenarios. For instance, while all automated systems should be encrypted, those that handle high-level sensitive data may also be subject to protocols that limit which staff members can access them. If your marketing team is working remotely using sensitive IP about upcoming orthopedic products, they may also need to use a virtual private network (VPN) access to prevent breaches in public spaces.
It’s also important to remember that automation isn’t just a potential source of risk. It can also be a solution. There is a growing range of automated threat detection and analytics systems available. When approached mindfully and in close collaboration with human staff, these systems can bolster your ability to protect your business and your customers from potential breaches.
Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.
For companies in the orthopedics manufacturing industry, these advances can offer exciting prospects. It is vital to also be mindful of the inherent hazards of automation. Left unprotected, automated processes can leave your company vulnerable to disruptions, breaches, and potential litigation. It is, therefore, wise to commit to establishing effective risk management protocols that take automation into consideration.
Recognizing the Imperatives
Risk management for automated processes in orthopedic manufacturing takes a regular commitment of time, knowledge, and capital. This may be a little frustrating, given that the intention of adopting automation is to reduce additional work and improve the bottom line. However, it’s worth getting to know the clear imperatives for robust risk practices. This can not only motivate your actions, but it can also give you additional insights into areas of focus.Firstly, risks to your automated systems can cause significant financial disruption to your organization. Breaches might halt production lines, resulting in missed shipping windows and unsatisfied consumers. In the case of ransomware attacks, you may have to pay cybersecurity experts or even the cybercriminals themselves to have operations running again.
Vulnerable automated systems may even give criminals access to intellectual property (IP), which they may sell to competitors. This can be particularly relevant if, like Zimmer Biomet and Medtronic, you’re introducing innovative products and processes into the market.
It’s also worth remembering that there are unique medical industry risk management imperatives. Any disruptions that lead to quality errors in your product could put you at risk of malpractice lawsuits. Certain consumer data is also likely to be subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If you neglect risk management practices, resulting in breaches, your business could be subject to fines and other regulatory sanctions.
Identifying Key Risks
The first step in managing automation risks in your business is identifying them. A good start is to work alongside your information technology (IT) teams. Have them regularly inspect the individual automated equipment, software systems, networks, and products for potential issues. Wherever possible, encourage your IT professionals to communicate with the developers of each system. This can help to ensure your business stays informed about potential issues with the software that could result in higher risks and obtain security patches that need to be implemented at the earliest opportunity.It’s also vital to examine the human risks related to automated systems. Your orthopedic manufacturing process may well utilize self-directed production machines, inventory management, and perhaps automated marketing tools. Yet, at some point, human staff members will still interact with these tools. This means there’s potential for human error.
Work with your staff to get to know how they utilize automation on a day-to-day basis. This can identify actions that may present previously unforeseen vulnerabilities and opportunities to educate workers on secure behavior. Indeed, some workers may have devised independent solutions that minimize automation risk that you can implement on a wider basis.
It’s also vital to keep in contact with your supply chain partners in identifying wider risks. For instance, delivery partners may be using automated tracking processes during the shipping process. This means that though your automated processes aren’t causing breaches, your choice of partners could place patient-identifying information in a position of vulnerability. Being proactive in understanding the risks from production to delivery helps you make more informed decisions.
Establishing Strong Cybersecurity Policies
In this rising age of automation, cybercrime is one of the primary hazards your business is likely to face. After all, systems that are left to run independently can be tempting targets for hackers. Not to mention that, as an orthopedic manufacturer, you’re likely to interact with valuable sensitive financial and healthcare data that many criminals prioritize. Therefore, adopting strong security protocols should be a priority in your risk management strategy.Firstly, it’s important to create a robust information security policy that underpins and drives all data-related measures in your organization. In essence, this document thoroughly outlines what types of data are kept by the company, what staff and systems have access to different types of data, and what tools should be used to safeguard it. It also details appropriate responses to data loss to ensure your business and any affected stakeholders can overcome the situation swiftly and effectively.
This information security policy can be particularly useful for highlighting what cybersecurity policies are appropriate for various staff, systems, and scenarios. For instance, while all automated systems should be encrypted, those that handle high-level sensitive data may also be subject to protocols that limit which staff members can access them. If your marketing team is working remotely using sensitive IP about upcoming orthopedic products, they may also need to use a virtual private network (VPN) access to prevent breaches in public spaces.
Conclusion
Automation in orthopedic manufacturing companies can be valuable, but it’s also subject to risks. It’s important to understand that breaches of automation systems not only affect your company’s bottom line but can also have significant privacy and medical data compliance consequences.It’s also important to remember that automation isn’t just a potential source of risk. It can also be a solution. There is a growing range of automated threat detection and analytics systems available. When approached mindfully and in close collaboration with human staff, these systems can bolster your ability to protect your business and your customers from potential breaches.
Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.
