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TIPPSS for Connected Healthcare: Redefining Security in Digital Medicine



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How Florence Hudson’s Framework is Safeguarding Healthcare Innovation Through Trust, Identity, and Protection


At 1ArtificialIntelligence, Florence Hudson, Executive Director of the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub at Columbia University, presents TIPPSS for Connected Healthcare, a forward-thinking framework designed to address the risks and opportunities associated with interconnected healthcare systems. Through her leadership and expertise, Hudson provides a detailed roadmap for making healthcare systems safer, more secure, and more trustworthy in a digital age.

The Foundation of TIPPSS

TIPPSS stands for Trust, Identity, Privacy, Protection, Safety, and Security. Hudson describes it as a comprehensive approach to addressing the vulnerabilities inherent in connected healthcare systems, including wearable devices, clinical IoT tools, and hospital networks.

“Healthcare records are highly valuable on the dark web, far more than Social Security numbers,” Hudson explains. “This makes them a prime target for cyberattacks, and securing them is a critical priority.” She highlights alarming incidents such as hacked insulin pumps and compromised pacemakers, which not only threaten patient safety but also erode trust in healthcare technology.

The TIPPSS framework addresses these issues by ensuring:

  • Trust: Only authorized individuals or services access devices and data.
  • Identity: Systems verify the authenticity of users and devices.
  • Privacy: Sensitive personal and medical information remains protected.
  • Protection: Safeguards against physical, financial, and reputational harm.
  • Safety: Devices operate reliably and securely over their entire lifecycle.
  • Security: Robust defenses are maintained at hardware, software, and system levels.

Applications of TIPPSS in Connected Healthcare

Hudson outlines several critical use cases that demonstrate the practical applications of TIPPSS in healthcare:

  1. Connected Monitoring Devices: Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for diabetes patients require secure systems to ensure accurate readings and protect patient data.
  2. Therapeutic Devices: Automated insulin delivery systems rely on safe connections to deliver the correct dosage of insulin. Without TIPPSS safeguards, these systems are vulnerable to manipulation that could endanger lives.
  3. Hospital at Home: The growing trend of delivering care remotely necessitates secure communication between patients and providers to maintain trust and safety.
  4. Data Interoperability: TIPPSS facilitates secure and seamless integration between IoT devices, electronic health records, and hospital systems, enabling innovation without compromising privacy.

These examples highlight the dual importance of security and innovation. Hudson emphasizes that while connected devices and systems enable transformative care, they also create new security risks. TIPPSS ensures healthcare systems balance these priorities effectively.

A Global Effort Toward Trust and Security

Hudson recounts the collaborative journey behind TIPPSS, which began in 2016 as part of an initiative to establish global standards for securing connected systems. The framework now serves as a cornerstone for efforts to ensure interoperability and security across healthcare’s digital ecosystem.

One of TIPPSS’s most significant achievements is its recognition as a vital framework for securing clinical IoT devices and connected systems. The adoption of TIPPSS reflects the increasing need for universal standards in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Expanding Beyond Healthcare

While TIPPSS originated in healthcare, Hudson explains that its principles apply to other interconnected domains. She is actively involved in initiatives to adapt TIPPSS for areas like smart grids, autonomous vehicles, and digital twins. For example, she collaborates with the National Science Foundation on securing distributed energy systems and with the National Institutes of Health on digital twin initiatives for personalized medicine.

Hudson highlights the importance of foresight in applying TIPPSS to emerging technologies. “Connected systems define the future of nearly every industry,” she says. “TIPPSS ensures these systems are not only innovative but also safe and secure.”

A Call to Leadership

Hudson underscores the importance of leadership in adopting TIPPSS. She challenges organizations to prioritize security from the outset of any connected technology initiative. “Security is not an afterthought,” she asserts. “It is foundational to trust, and trust is the foundation of progress.”

Through her work at the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub, Hudson fosters collaboration among technologists, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to advance responsible, inclusive innovation. The hub has grown to include over 13,700 members across 65 countries, reflecting the global relevance of TIPPSS and similar initiatives.

A Framework for the Future

TIPPSS represents more than a technical solution; it is a comprehensive philosophy for securing the future of connected systems. By embedding trust, safety, and security into healthcare technologies, the framework provides a roadmap for innovation that protects patients, providers, and institutions alike.

Hudson concludes with a powerful invitation: “Join us in making connected systems safe and trustworthy. Together, we can ensure a future where innovation serves everyone, securely and ethically.”

>> WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE PRESENTATION SESSION HERE