By Dave DeFusco
Dr. Honggang Wang, an expert in artificial intelligence and digital health applications, has been awarded a three-year, $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for a project aimed at enhancing cybersecurity education and research in the rapidly growing field of mobile health.
The project, “Augmenting Cybersecurity Education in Mobile Health (mHealth) Through Curriculum and Experimental Platform Development,” will introduce a new course on mHealth cybersecurity, comprising seven detailed modules covering topics such as wearable device security, body sensor network security, biometric security, communication security, data privacy and trustworthy artificial intelligence.
“These modules will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to secure mobile health applications and protect patient data from unauthorized access and other cybersecurity threats,” said Dr. Wang.
With the rapid expansion of mobile health technologies, the need to protect sensitive health data has become more urgent than ever. Mobile devices and applications are increasingly used to deliver healthcare services and manage patient information, making them prime targets for cybersecurity threats. Recognizing this, Dr. Wang’s project aims to bridge the significant gap in cybersecurity education and research specific to mHealth, a field at the intersection of healthcare and information technology.
In addition to the curriculum, Dr. Wang will develop an experimental mHealth cybersecurity platform that will allow students to engage in hands-on training. This platform will simulate real-world scenarios, enabling students to apply what they learn in a controlled environment that mirrors the complexities of modern healthcare systems. The platform will be a key resource in addressing the shortage of practical training tools available for mHealth cybersecurity education.
A significant component of the project is the creation of a web-based data repository that will serve as a collaborative platform for educators, researchers and students. This repository will host a wide range of educational materials, including lecture notes, lab tools, datasets and exercises, all designed to enhance mHealth cybersecurity training. It will also facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practices among institutions, fostering a broader community of mHealth cybersecurity professionals.
To further promote the dissemination of the new curriculum and training tools, Dr. Wang will organize an mHealth cybersecurity education workshop in collaboration with the IEEE/ACM Chase (Connected Health) Conference, where he serves as the steering committee and founding co-chair. This workshop will bring together experts from academia, industry and healthcare to discuss emerging needs and developments in mHealth cybersecurity. Special emphasis will be placed on engaging app and students from minority-serving institutions, ensuring that the benefits of this initiative reach a diverse audience.
The urgency of this project is underscored by the increasing cybersecurity risks associated with mHealth technologies. For instance, one significant threat involves the potential manipulation of data transmitted by body sensor networks. In a scenario where an automatic drug delivery system for diabetic patients is compromised, an attacker could alter insulin dosage information during wireless transmission, potentially endangering the patient’s life. Such risks highlight the critical need for robust security measures and the importance of educating a workforce capable of implementing these protections.
“This NSF grant represents a significant step forward in the field of mHealth cybersecurity education and research,” said Dr. Wang. “By developing a targeted curriculum and providing hands-on training opportunities, our project will play a transformative role in protecting patient data, ensuring the security of mobile health technologies and ultimately advancing the quality and safety of healthcare services worldwide.”
