Lt General (Dr.) Rajesh Pant is an internationally recognized Cyber Security expert, presently tenanting the prestigious appointment of National Cyber Security Coordinator at the Prime Minister’s Office, India. General Pant brings to the table an interesting mix of military operations, academic excellence, corporate governance, and cybersecurity wisdom. Prior to this, he was the Head of the Army’s Cyber Training establishment for three years. He served in the Army Signals Corps for 41 years wherein he was awarded three times by the President of India for distinguished service of the highest order. He also served as the Chairman of Precision Electronics Ltd as a Governing Council Member of IETE (India). Sachin Gaur interviewed him on his viewpoint on India’s vision for cybersecurity.

Q. On behalf of InnoHEALTH Magazine, we congratulate you on your new assignment. For our readers, we would like you to share your short-term and long-term vision for Cybersecurity from national security perspective.
Short-term vision is to issue National Cyber Security Strategy 2020-25 early next year. Task force is working overtime on this by consulting all stakeholders. Long-term vision is to create an all-encompassing cyber vertical at the national level, to handle incident response, cybercrimes, legal issues and capacity building.

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Q. We know that there are some fundamental technological shifts waiting to happen like 5G, and along-with it massive (Internet of Things) IoT deployments and especially use cases of connected healthcare. Can you share your views on the cybersecurity implications of the connected devices?
IoT security is a priority topic world over and this is because the limited security capabilities of these devices are also an afterthought. We need to work on a framework, to bring baselinesecurity through the manufacturers and developers of these devices. These devices are omnipresent in our lives, we find them in our home environment to industrial environments including hospitals. We have seen attacks in the past, where such devices are compromised to launch massive denial of service attacks to manipulate the workings of critical infrastructure.
Also, the issue of IoT security is multidimensional, from data security, privacy to device security. As we discuss this, there are multiple acts and bills pending in the Parliament on these topics. While the bills and acts will provide a framework, we need to also create awareness on both sides, supplier and consumer on the possible risks and mitigation strategies.

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Q. What steps can be taken to improve the security in such connected devices?
When I say baseline security framework, it can be achieved in multiple ways.
As of today, most devices that we use including mobile phones, do not have a security testing certification. So, we can agree with the industry and look at important test cases and if they can do self-certification on such test cases.
For example: the device should not have weak default login credentials, it is sending data to a remote server and can be operated remotely. So, we can come up like a 5-star rating framework like that of the energy consumption but for the security of IoT devices basis what kind of tests they clear.
Industry bodies can agree on various levels of security and what it takes to achieve that level. Such a framework, when implemented, can provide confidence to consumers and users on the kind of device they are using vis-a-visthe use case they have at hand. So, they might use a higher security rating device in a use case where the stakes are high.
The other approach is to get the security testing done with notified agencies. Department of Telecom for example has announced mandatory security testing of network elements for telecom given telecom is a part of the critical infrastructure and security issuescannot be taken lightly.
Also, some of the emerging concepts in connected devices are missing in the various governing acts of the industrial connected devices. So, we also need to update our legal frameworks to cover software-based tempering of such devices and make the manufacturers and service providers accountable and proactive towards the security of the systems they provide.

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Q. What are the threats that you foresee for the health sector?
There are three areas we see where health sector can be impacted:
First is the data breaches and ransomware attacks on healthcare data. As we know, among all the data, healthcare is the most sensitive and sought after by malicious actors. Outside of India, we have seen umpteen cases where ransomware has crippled the health system and it is only after paying the ransom the hospitals can start operation again. Timely backups and encryption of healthcare data during storage is a preventive measure that clinical establishments can take to mitigate the breach and ransomware attacks.
Second is the manipulation of connected devices. The topic of IoT and connected devices security, as discussed in the above sections, directly apply to the medical devices. Healthcare is a domain where attacks on such devices can be life threatening, especially when there are implantable devices. As we have the new Medical Device Regulation Act in India since 2018, we should also consider cyber security aspect in the devices which have a communication interface. For example, a pacemaker which has a communication interface can be manipulated remotely and the patient’s life is at risk.
Third is the manipulation of health system including the building management. We are probably not very far from the days when sophisticated attacks, as we see in the movies, on high security establishments by manipulating the building controls. The building management systems are very weak when it comes to security. Every hospital is a building and imagine what a false fire alarm would mean to patients in Intensive Care Unit. Or even loss of air conditioning or sudden spikes in electrical power.
There is a proposed act DISHA, Digital Information Security Healthcare Act, which might address some of the legal aspects of security in the healthcare setting. A lot needs to be done in this area, and we are on our way.

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Q. Our readership consists of health experts all over the world. Any message for them?
We are at the cusp of a new age where we look to take advantage of Artificial Intelligence to Internet of Things. For such a knowledge economy to take off, health sector is at the center of it and health experts need to pay attention on what they are buying and how such systems are managed and operated. Through intervention of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and responsible bodies such as National Accreditation Board of Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) of Quality Council of India, we plan to recommend a cyber audit and increased awareness of information security.
We would not want our hospitals and clinical establishments to be a prey for malicious actors. Rather we would want our experts to leverage technology to take the country to the next level in providing care to a wider population at a lower cost and of the highest quality.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has announced the launch of a new set of innovative health services featuring futuristic technology solutions – particularly artificial intelligence (AI) during its participation at Arab Health 2017.

His Excellency Al Ketbi, has announced the launch of the Smart Mirror which is the first of its kind globally to allows patients to analyze their body’s temperature, pulse, weight, height, and their body mass index. It also features a weather forecast component that can be utilized by looking through the mirror.

The Smart Mirror is an active tool for patients suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, as well as blood pressure problems, as it monitors their weight, height, blood pressure and body temperature. The Chatbot service is driven by basic artificial intelligence software and facilitates ‘smart’ online chats that help reduce healthcare cost as well as improve the flow of health services.

The interactive AI facility can assist the Ministry by mimicking human conversations to answer questions which can also be integrated with other software platforms to allow other communication activities such as sending messages and holding telemedicine conferences via Skype with a physician.

Another smart technology, ‘Kiomatik’, will welcome patients and guests and perform other reception duties via an innovative system, motion tracking, a high-definition camera, and three-dimensional display devices embedded in a robot.

It will also provide necessary information about the health facilities, set appointments, and answer basic questions from patients.

The Kiomatik Beacon technology also operates as a wireless device with face-recognition capability. The patient is immediately recognized upon arrival at the health facility and informed about his or her schedule which will appear at the reception platform without the assistance of any hospital employee.

Kiomatik reduces the need for computers and other announcement systems as medical staff can use the apps installed on smart watches and smartphones to communicate with patients and inform them whenever they need to visit a health facility for examination.

An advanced self-registration service ‘Kiosk’ can recognize patients’ faces using a 17-inch screen that registers them upon arrival at the hospital or medical center. This pioneering technology is still currently under research and development.

Want to write for InnoHEALTH? send us your article at  magazine@innovatiocuris.com

Read all the issues of InnoHEALTH magazine:
InnoHEALTH Volume 2 Issue 3 (July to September 2017) – https://goo.gl/MCVjd6
InnoHEALTH Volume 2 Issue 2 (April to June 2017) – https://goo.gl/Nv3eev
InnoHEALTH Volume 1 Issue 2 (October to December 2016) – https://goo.gl/4GGMJz
InnoHEALTH Volume 1 Issue 1 (July to September 2016) – https://goo.gl/iWAwN2

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Healthcare today is in a truly interesting state of transition from traditional to wellcare models, powered by technology and disruptive innovation. To address the prevailing healthcare challenges and also leverage on the opportunities, there needs to be a coordinated effort across multiple stakeholders in order to deliver innovation that can improve outcomes, expand access and increase affordability of healthcare in Asia Pacific and beyond.

We are at the turning point of a new generation of healthcare: The transition from healthcare to wellcare, facilitated by technology and innovation that can help improve individual patient outcomes and elevate the standard of care. The transition is, however, not always a smooth one. In Asia, which is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic region in the world today, there still exists a huge disparity in access to high quality and cost-effective healthcare for millions of people. In fact, the need in some Asian countries is particularly acute, especially with the rapid growth of the ageing population.

Lack of patient awareness, infrastructure, proper training for healthcare professionals, and in some cases, lack of healthcare manpower itself, are just some of the barriers to effective healthcare and recovery. On the other hand, there are also empowered and engaged healthcare consumers who may have a different set of needs to satisfy. In order to address these barriers while at the same time pushing down costs, healthcare experts collectively agree on one thing – innovation. Disruptive innovation, according to some, because current healthcare systems in place are ailing and they need help.

By definition, disruptive innovation is one that creates a new market and value network by disrupting an existing market either through a brand new solution or a perhaps a creative spin on something that already exists in order to deliver better results. Healthcare today is in a truly disruptive state, opening up doors for opportunities for different healthcare stakeholders.

Innovating Care Asia Pacific (ICAP) 2016 conference is an event platform that aims to build a community of highly influential, knowledgeable, and very well connected healthcare professionals, decision makers, thought leaders and influencers who are passionate about transforming healthcare, for the greater good of the patients and other healthcare consumers. There is a great need to address prevailing challenges and leverage on the opportunities – and these require a coordinated effort across multiple stakeholders in order to deliver innovation that can improve outcomes, expand access and increase affordability of healthcare in Asia Pacific.

The Silver Tsunami

Considering that most of the countries in Asia Pacific are rapidly ageing, with a vast majority of those above 60 yrs requiring treatments and assisted care, governments and concerned institutions are therefore hard-pressed to establish and implement measures that would help the seniors age-in-place and continue living fulfilled lives.

Singapore is one of the fastest ageing countries in the world. According to the Long-Term Care in Singapore Challenges and Learning Points presentation by the Ministry of Health (Singapore), the estimated number of Singaporeans aged 65 and above who may require assistance with mobility and other activities of daily living is expected to nearly triple between 2010 and 2030. Which means that by 2030, one in five Singaporeans will be aged 65 and older and there will be nearly a million elderly, most of whom will be afflicted with at least one chronic disease, resulting in reduced autonomy and lower quality of life.

To ensure good quality of life for the seniors even as they grow frail, the Singapore government is now looking into a more patient-centric view of long-term care focusing on accessibility, quality and affordability. Meanwhile, innovators from the private sector continuously churn out innovative solutions and re-engineering care models to help the elderly cope with ageing, whether in the confines of their own home or in nursing homes. These innovations may come in the form of health kiosks, ILTC subsidies, augmentation of manpower with the use of technology and more. In other developed countries like Japan, said to be the world’s most ageing society, more radical solutions have been devised to meet this challenge. In less developed countries in the region, you might be surprised to see unexpected forms of innovation that deliver tremendous results as what the Indian hospitals that became the subjects of Vijay Govindarajan and Ravi Ramamurti’s Harvard Business Review-published study called Delivering World-Class Healthcare, Affodably, have shown.

Taking off from the discussion and knowledge exchange that had transpired during the ICAP 2016 Conference, Innovating Care Asia Pacific is launching a vertical spin-off forum focusing mainly on Elderly and Home Care where decision makers, practitioners, researchers, service providers, and community members can share their experiences to support and empower rapidly ageing populations worldwide through the integration of healthcare, social participation and community.

As the healthcare sector slowly but steadily moves away from physician-centred to patient-centric health, patients are now encouraged and empowered to take charge of their health and treatment. And with the help of technology and innovation, patients are now also redefining the very borders of healthcare. As someone who has spent many years entrenched in the healthcare and healthcare IT sectors, I am happy to take part in this new revolution that will see more and more patients owning their health, as we slowly transit from traditional healthcare models to wellcare.

Want to write for InnoHEALTH? send us your article at  magazine@innovatiocuris.com

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Connect with InnoHEALTH 2017 on: 
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Stay update about the conference by visiting: www.innohealth.in