Data Privacy and Cybersecurity in Connected Diabetes Devices

The Connected Device Landscape

The integration of CGMs with smartphones and insulin pumps creates a complex cybersecurity landscape.

Primary Attack Vectors

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Vulnerabilities

BLE is the primary communication method and is susceptible to:

• Eavesdropping: Privacy loss from intercepted data
• Jamming: Denial of service attacks
• Man-in-the-middle: Data interception and modification

Critical Safety Risks

Integrity Spoofing

The most dangerous threat: false glucose data injected to manipulate AID systems.

Potential Consequences:

• Lethal insulin overdoses from fake high readings
• Dangerous insulin suspensions from fake low readings

Privacy Concerns

Secondary Use of Data

Glucose trends reveal intimate lifestyle details:

• Eating habits and meal timing
• Sleep patterns
• Activity levels
• Stress indicators

Who Might Use This Data?

• Insurance companies for risk assessment
• Advertisers for targeted marketing
• Employers (legally restricted but concerning)

Regulatory Response

FDA Requirements

• Rigorous pre-market threat modeling
• Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) disclosures
• Ongoing cybersecurity monitoring

Industry Standards

• Device encryption requirements
• Secure pairing protocols
• Regular security updates

User Protections

• Keep device software updated
• Use secure WiFi networks
• Monitor for unexpected device behavior
• Report suspicious activity to manufacturer