Diabetech - Diabetes Tech, Research, News Is Your Pump Secure? A Cybersecurity Expert Breaks It Down
Nov 24, 2025
This week, cybersecurity expert Josiah Dykstra shares insights from his career at the NSA and his life with type 1 diabetes. He discusses the stringent security measures around medical devices in classified settings and why standalone devices, like Dexcom receivers, are crucial. Josiah opens up about his initial fears of pump hacking, his decision to embrace automated insulin delivery, and the FDA's evolving regulations on medical tech. He emphasizes the importance of personal cybersecurity and urges patients to advocate for stronger security measures.
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Managing Diabetes In Phone-Free Secure Facilities
- Josiah described working inside high-security government buildings where personal phones are banned and he took notes by pen and paper.
- He brought a standalone Dexcom receiver approved by security so he could see CGM data during the day.
Historic Pump Hacking Demonstrations
- Josiah recalled prominent security talks that exposed insulin pump vulnerabilities, including a 2011 Black Hat demonstration.
- He noted the research raised awareness and led to some vendor fixes, though widespread real-world attacks remain unseen.
Security Is Continuous, Not One-Time
- The FDA and vendors now treat cybersecurity as ongoing work, not a one-time checkbox.
- Faster, more flexible update and patch processes are becoming essential for medical device safety.