Siemens Medical Solutions is one of the first manufacturers of medical systems worldwide to implement an internationally valid information security management system (ISMS) for the remote service of medical devices. This has been certified by TÜV Süd in Germany according to the international standard ISO 27001. When a red light flashes at the Siemens Medical Solutions Service Center in Erlangen, the customer service engineers know that somewhere in the world the X-ray tube in a computed tomography system needs to get replaced. Siemens is able to detect this situation through its Siemens Remote Service (SRS) platform. Worldwide, thousands of medical systems are connected to the Med SRS platform primarily via VPN connections (Virtual Private Networks), which are secure virtual data tunnels between two points. The data transmission technology and associated business processes at Siemens have to meet high requirements in accordance with internationally recognized information security management systems.
The task of Siemens Remote Service is to detect warning or problem messages from imaging systems as early as possible. At present, experienced service specialists proactively monitor more than 15,000 systems daily and can immediately initiate corresponding measures. As soon as the system is started at the customer site, it can automatically send messages to the service center via the secure Siemens Med remote platform. As a result, potential deviations or incidents are detected early as "events", enabling malfunctions to be prevented.
Information and data security are crucial decision-making criteria for customers in the medical sector. With this certification, Siemens has shown that information security and data protection have top priority, when operating a highly-complex remote maintenance infrastructure. Siemens demonstrated to the TÜV auditors an effective information security management system (ISMS) that meets all requirements with respect to availability, confidentiality, integrity, and connectivity. "SRS is the basis and key technology for a proactive approach to the service business," said Dr. Wolfgang Heimsch, the head of Customer Services at Siemens Medical Solutions. "And we intend to expand our cutting edge role in this area."
About Siemens Medical Solutions
Siemens Medical Solutions is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Recent acquisitions in the area of in-vitro diagnostics such as Diagnostic Products Corporation and Bayer Diagnostics mark a significant milestone for Siemens as it becomes the first full service diagnostics company. Employing more than 41,000 people worldwide and operating in over 130 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 8.23 billion EUR, orders of 9.33 billion EUR and group profit of 1.06 billion EUR for fiscal 2006 (Sept. 30). Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/medical